Upward Running Podcast

40 Episodes
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By: Upward Sports

Are you looking for motivation to lace up your running shoes and dive deeper into your faith? Need a little extra inspiration now and then? Imagine having a friend who’s always ready for a run and eager to share how the journey of faith aligns with the challenges of endurance. Look no further! Upward Running is taking our podcast to new heights. With engaging storytelling, devotionals, and the latest tech on YouTube, podcast platforms, and Facebook Live, Dean Thompson is here each week to bring you inspiration, knowledge, and enthusiasm.Plus, we’re excited to announce that a NEW app...

273 – The Flying Scotsman : The Framing Effect
#273
Yesterday at 9:00 AM

Coach Dean and Mitchell wade into some controversial territory this week as they talk about taking a stand for Biblical principles through the story of Eric Liddel. Then Dean shares his thoughts on something called The Framing Effect and how it relates to running/walking and our faith.

Summer!

Post of the Week - Patricia Perticone - What’s your excuse?

Run of the Week - Stephanie Marino - Find a way to get it done

Trivia answer from last week

Mitchell’s Health Quest and welcoming diss...


272 – Running Towards Intention : The Crux
06/09/2025

Today’s story about beating addiction also comes with a poem. Join Coach Dean and Mitchell as they discuss it. Then Dean shares a term used in Rock Climbing that informs us about how we should look at running/walking and our faith.

Keep Going even when you think you can’t

Post of the Week - Bill Silvers - You’re never too old

Run of the Week - Dexter Padgett - Get past the limitations you set on yourself

Trivia Answer from last week

Announcement - More...


271 – Running with Abe : The Running Gamble
#271
06/02/2025

Coach Dean and Mitchell share a story about a man who was saved from clinical depression through the sport of running. Then Dean shares a way to think about your fitness that could change everything.

0:58 - Happy Birthday Holly!

1:06 - Trying to be efficient and failing

3:24 - Post of the Week - Kimberly Slape - Running for a good cause

7:13 - Run of the Week - Curtis Rowe - Don’t sacrifice your health

10:35 - Trivia answer from last week

17:06 - Princess Charlotte is a ru...


270 – Another Chapter : Perspective
#270
05/26/2025

Coach Dean and Mitchell share the third installment of a continuing story from Roscoe Parker. God put running in perspective for him. Then Dean shares his thoughts on why finding where to place the blame just doesn’t matter sometimes.

Rain, Rain Go Away

Post of the Week - Rebecca Wang - Easy Runs

Run of the Week - Brad Reeder - Ode to a Strava Leader

Trivia Answer from last week

Super-Supershoes

Story of the Week - Another Chapter - Roscoe Parker

Ph...


269 – Something’s Chasing Me! : An Odd Thing Happened on the Road Today
#269
05/19/2025

Coach Dean and Mitchell are joined by Upward Sports Executive Director Kavin Drake. Have you ever thought something was chasing you? This week’s story will make you chuckle and think. Then Dean shares talks about something that happened to him for the first time in his 45 years of running. You don’t want to miss this week’s podcast!

1:04 - Welcome Kevin!

1:29 - Hydrogen Water, Red Light Therapy and Grounding

3:07 - Post of the Week - Rebecca Wang - Tune in for Thursday Night live sessions

4:32 - Run of the...


268 – Milepost 72: How Did I Get Here So Fast? : Negotiation 101
#268
05/12/2025

We’re all getting older. How should we look at aging? That is the subject of this week’s main story. Then Dean shares his thoughts on what negotiating with yourself looks like. If you want to negotiate better running terms for yourself, you’ll need to tune in.

Become a coach - It will be worth it!

Hydrogen Water

Post of the Week - Sarah Padgett - Kids and running long distances

Run of the Week - Joni-Aaron Adams - @ types of runners

Trivia answer from last w...


267 – Resting at His Feet : Running by Punctuation
#267
05/05/2025

We’re all passionate about something. For many of us it is our fitness and health. Coach Dean and Mitchell share a story and talk about where our deepest desires should lie. Then Dean shares an innovative way to think about your running workouts…

Rucking - everybody’s doing it

Post of the Week - Shannon and Gaye Coker get ready for the big day

Run of the Week - Travis Vaughn - Getting back to the routine

Trivia answer from last week

Learned something new

Runn...


266 – A Personal Mission Statement : Positivity First
#266
04/28/2025

Have you ever considered your personal mission statement? What would it be? Coach Dean and Mitchell talk about what that might look like. Then Dean shares his experiences over the weekend with a group of new friends.

1:00 - Ville to Ville Relay race

3:40 - Post of the Week - Michelle Palma Stover - Living by your words

6:25 - Run of the Week - Haley Sharp - Sharing Christ for 50K!

11:58 - Trivia answer from last week

16:02 - What is our food doing to us?

31:04...


265 – His Presence is More Than Enough : Rules Will Not Be Mocked
#265
04/21/2025

Hear the story of how the Upward Running Couch to Marathon program helped to heal a family’s pain after a string of life’s struggles. Then Coach Dean talks about whether or not traffic rules should apply to him. You don’t want to miss these stories!

Pollen in the south

Post of the Week - Amanda Neal Harwood - Tough races and wind vs. hills

Trivia answer from last week

Shoes are going to get way more technical apparently

Story of the Week - His Presen...


BONUS - Easter Special 2025
04/17/2025

Five Words - By Rhonda Williams

Thank you to Rhonda Williams for her story. And thank you to the God to Who makes all things possible.

If you are not sure of your salvation, please visit this site: UpwardRunning.com/PeaceWithGod


264 – The Aaron Burros Story – Part 2
#264
04/14/2025

Aaron Burros was shot 5 times in a workplace shooting and then used running to overcome his PTSD and depression from that incident by attempting to run 50 marathon s in 50 states in 50 weeks. And this took place during the height of the pandemic, which had it’s good points and bad points.


263 – The Aaron Burros Story – Part 1
#263
04/07/2025

Aaron Burros was shot 5 times in a workplace shooting and then used running to overcome his PTSD and depression from that incident by attempting to run 50 marathon s in 50 states in 50 weeks. And this took place during the height of the pandemic, which had it’s good points and bad points.


262 – Life is a Marathon : Our Least Favorite Training Partner
#262
03/31/2025

Coach Dean and Mitchell share a story about a father/daughter marathon combo who once trained together years ago but no longer run together. The father is embarking on the Couch to Marathon journey after many setbacks. Then Dean shares his thoughts on the training partner we just don’t want to run with…

2:35 - Not too late to join C2M

4:27 - Post of the Week - Will Beverlin - Doing it when we don’t think we can

7:27 - Run of the Week - Haley Sharp - We bounce back q...


261 – Rest : Recharging the Batteries
#261
03/24/2025

This week’s podcast is all about rest and recovery. The story of the week is about taking time to rest when we need it. Then Coach Dean shares his thoughts on sleep. You may be surprised how important the coach believes good sleep to be.

Couch to Marathon 2025

Post of the Week - Rebecca Wang - Explore your area

Run of the Week - Ashley Daly - Mesquite Canyon 30K

Trivia answer from last week

Best of BC - Ihor Verys

Story of the We...


260 – So Close : Changing the Course of History
#260
03/17/2025

A Run Club member shares his “before” story before he starts the Couch to Marathon journey this year. Then Coach Dean shares his thoughts on how consequential one decision or action can be.

Big Day in the Hollis household!

It’s been 5 years of consistency

Post of the Week - Will Beverlin - Doing what it takes!

Run of the Week - Mary Pavluk Priolo - Representing in Tokyo!

Trivia answer from last week

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened while runnin...


259 – Go and Give : Insurance Policy
#259
03/10/2025

Tune in to hear Scott Kaufman’s story about interrupting marathon training to donate a kidney – It is inspiring. Then Coach Dean talks about a benefit of cardiovascular exercise we don’t consider much – but we should.

Couch to marathon 2025-26

Post of the Week - Michelle Palma Stover - Be intentional

Run of the Week - Mike Powers - Sometimes the best runs are the ones you don’t want to do!

Trivia answer from last week

Running the length of New Zealand

Story of the Wee...


258 – Project Management : Finish the Race
#258
03/03/2025

How is a training program like Project Management? How is our faith like managing a project? Coach Dean and Mitchell talk about it. Then Dean shares a great story about a Tanzanian runner in the 1968 Olympic Marathon race and how that story informs us today.

0:56 - International phone calls

1:53 - Getting pulled over by the police

3:45 - Couch to Marathon 2025

5:16 - Post of the Week - Mary Priolo - Sometimes pictures do lie

8:36 - Run of the Week - Karen Hammrick - The importance of friends

<...


257 – The Role of Community : Staying Until the End
#257
02/24/2025

A running group can be really important to our fitness journey and a church group can be critical to our relationship with Christ. Coach dean and Mitchell discuss that topic today. And Dean shares his thoughts on people who stay until the last person finishes the race.

0:58 - On the road

4:28 - Tornados?

5:10 - Looking for help for a Run Club member…

5:37 - Post of the Week - Josh Johnson - friends in St Petersburg

7:55 - Run of the Week - Travis Hess - It’s all good...


256 – The Other End of the Pencil : Mind and Body
#256
02/17/2025

Have you ever made a mistake? Then today’s podcast is for you! What does God say about mistakes? Then Coach Dean shares his thoughts on how the mind and body are not two different things.

New App

Post of the Week - Lyn Carroll McDonald - Excited about the future!

Run of the Week - Jerri Seigler - A year of running/walking

Trivia answer from last week

Connecting our appetite to the workouts we do

Story of the Week - The other End of...


255 – Time to Rest, Reflect and Plan : Just 21 More Miles to Go
#255
02/10/2025

Coach Dean and Mitchell share a story that talks about evaluating the things we do and planning a better course going forward. Then Dean shares a story about how our mind can go from one extreme to another.

1:16 - New Couch to Marathon group!

5:41 - Post of the Week - Michelle Palma Stover - “Easy has never been in my vocabulary”

10:29 - Run of the Week - Richard Ball - coming a long way

14:27 - Trivia answer from 2 weeks ago

20:21 - Woman dressed as Polar Bear Raises mone...


254 – Big Peach Running’s Mike Cosentino
#254
02/03/2025

Dean is joined in the studio by longtime Upward Running supporter and founder of Big Peach Running Company in Atlanta and the surrounding area, Mike Cosentino. They talk about the industry, running trends, faith, and many other things.


253 – Journey to a Marathon : The Artist Has a Plan
#253
01/27/2025

Coach Dean and Mitchell have a great story of triumph over adversity to share this week as they share a story about a lady who has lost over 100 pounds along the way. Then Dean will talk about how it is not only good to have a plan, but we must be ready to adjust the plan along the way.

Getting Older…

Post of the Week - Jim Stimson - Looking for the rough road

Run of the Week - Keith Sikes - Gotta love it when it “clicks”

Trivia Answer...


252 – A Tie at Mile Four : Being Unafraid
#252
01/20/2025

Coach Dean and Mitchell are back for the first regular podcast of the year to discuss a story about a 3 Stooges tie and it’s connection to a half marathon. You can’t miss that! Then Dean will talk about how being unafraid and not being fearful are not the same thing.

Post of the Week - Joni-Aaron Adams - What is your foundation

Run of the Week - Rebecca Wang - Donut Prediction Run!

Trivia answer

Robert “Raven” Craft and his 50 year running streak

Story of the Week...


251 – Top 10 Dean’s Thoughts of 2024
#251
01/13/2025

Coach Dean counts down his favorite Dean’s Thoughts stories of 2024.


250 – Dr. John “Spider” Sillery on Injuries
#250
01/06/2025

Emergency Room doctor, runner, and plant-based eater, Dr. John “Spider” Sillery, joins Coach Dean as they talk about some of the most common running injuries and what to do about them.


249 – Top 10 Stories of 2024
#249
12/30/2024

Coach Dean counts down his top 10 favorite stories of 2024.


248 – Merry Christmas : The Night That Changed Everything
#248
12/23/2024

Coach Dean and Mitchell talk about Christmas tradition before Dean shares a special Christmas story.


247 – From Last Place to a New Race : What’s the Truth?
#247
12/16/2024

Coach Dean is joined by Upward Running’s very own Claire Boice. Claire is a bundle of positive energy, and she has a great story to share about her running and spiritual journeys. Then Dean talks about making sure we’re relying on the right source for our information.

1:00 - Welcome to Claire Boice

1:35 - Post of the Week - Richard Ball - GPS accuracy and being thankful for our blessings

6:51 - Announcement!

7:57 - Run of the Week - Stephanie Pinchock Marino - Running in a turkey costume

9...


246 – Giving Thanks : Our Most Popular Podcast
#246
12/09/2024

Instead of recording a new podcast over the Thanksgiving holiday, Coach Dean shares George Washington’s original Declaration of Thanksgiving and Prayer. Then we play the most popular episode from the archives. Enjoy!

George Washington’s Declaration of Thanksgiving and Prayer for our country

Podcast Episode 169


245 – God is in the Details : Permission to Walk
#245
12/02/2024

Dean and Mitchell share a stary about an unexpected thing that happened in a half marathon and how God is supporting us even when we aren’t paying attention to Him. Then Dean compares and contrasts running and walking. Tune in to hear which one is better.

2:04 - Doing spur of the moment things

3:31 - Post of the Week - Alison Bryant - Busy people can get it done

9:15 - Run of the Week - Greg Chance - Don’t pre-judge those long runs

11:08 - Trivia Answer from last week...


244 – A Truly Thankful Thanksgiving : Keep Showing Up
#244
11/25/2024

Dean and Mitchell share a story about Thanksgiving and what the holiday means. Then Dean shares his thoughts about how “just showing up” is half the battle.

1:07 - Living in the woods

3:38 - Post of the Week - Jim Stimson - Go see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever today

8:31 - Run of the Week - Rebecca Wang - Carrying Old Glory in support of Veterans

13:00 - Trivia Answer from last week

20:18 - Just a Closer Walk - 74 year old woman walks 74 miles for 74th birthday

22:51 - St...


243 – What Can God Accomplish Through You? : Shelby GT
#243
11/18/2024

You will get emotional over this week’s story as Dean and Mitchell share the amazing story of Patricia Perticone. And then Dean will share his thoughts on why you should use your body the way God intended.

When is it time for Christmas decorations?

Post of the Week - Bill Gross - Running in the snow

Run of the Week - Cliff Finney - We had several Run Club Members who ran big races this past weekend, including the New York Marathon

Trivia Answer from last week

...


242 – The Aunt Farm : Are We Failing?
#242
11/11/2024

If you have an eclectic family, this week’s story may be just for you. Dean and Mitchell share a story about how Jerry’s relatives, specifically a few aunts, made a difference in his life. Then Dean asks the question: Are we Failing? The answer may surprise you.

1:17 - Name Change and Everybody’s doing it - sign up for a 5K Challenge today

2:31 - Post of the Week - Jon Sandifer - A special 20-miler

9:18 - Run of the Week - Brooks Wachs - A great 50K

10:35 - Triv...


241 – Called Out of the Boat : Honesty is the Best Policy
#241
11/04/2024

Dean and Mitchell share the story of how Pat Park celebrated 30 years of sobriety in a spectacular way. Then Dean shares his thoughts on honesty and he points the finger at a suspect you might not suspect.

1:23 - Re-dos

2:33 - Post of the Week - Michelle Micheff - Be ready for anything

8:56 - Run of the Week - Greg Chance - Be ready for anything

12:08 - Trivia Answer from last week

17:53 - Start a class in January

19:37 - What is the Best Time of Day...


240 – A Second Wind : U-Turns
#240
10/28/2024

We’ve all heard the term second wind. What does it mean and what are its implications for our running? Also, what do you do when things don’t go your way, and you have to make a U-turn? Dean and Mitchell answer those question and more.

Join us in January - attend a webinar now

Post of the Week - Ashley Daly - #seethelight

Run of the Week - We’ve got the country covered

Trivia answer of the week

Overcoming performance anxiety

Story of the...


239 – The Finish Line : What Can I Do For You?
#239
10/21/2024

The finish line is the goal for every runner AND every Christian. Listen as Dean and Mitchell share a story about how the 5K Challenge inspired Jennifer Gonzalez to write that story. Then Dean Shares the story of the most Christlike man he has ever known.

Post of the Week - Patsy Arnold - Happy Birthday and other fun runs

Run of the Week - Mike Powers - Going back to the place you struggled in the past

Trivia Answer from last week

Start a class in January

<...


238 – Still Missing : Changing Your Thought Direction
#238
10/14/2024

Dean and Mitchell share a story about pants this week. Jerry Snider is at it again, making us laugh about what we wear on the lower half of our body. Then Dean shares his thoughts on avoiding lying to yourself and instead, filling your head with better thoughts.

1:03 - Confusing SIRI

3:11 - Post of the Week - Jim Stimson - Improvisational running

5:28 - Run of the Week - Belinda Daughtry - Team Coolidge at Mount Rushmore

9:05 - Trivia answer from last week

18:34 - Start a class in...


237 – The Monster Under My Bed : I’m Too Tired
#237
10/07/2024

They say, “Variety is the spice of life.” But there are good reasons to favor routine sometimes. Dean and Mitchell discuss that issue and then Dean shares his thoughts on a tried old phrase.

1:19 - Looks like rain

3:50 - Post of the Week - Christine Morrison - A reminder to stick to the plan

6:27 - Run of the Week - Amber Ward - Well-paced 10-Miler

7:49 - Join us in January

10:22 - Trivia answer from last week

17:11 - Joggling world record under threat

20:26 - Stor...


236 – I Can’t Believe I Just Said That : Our Body Is Not a Rental Car
#236
09/30/2024

Have you ever said something you wish you hadn’t? Dean and Mitchell discuss a story about such an incident. Then Dean shares his thoughts on why we treat our bodies so poorly sometimes.

1:29 - A Challenge for next year

3:56 - Special holidays

4:51 - Post of the Week - Mike Powers - Watch out for that snake!

9:41 - Trivia question answer from last week

18:07 - Crazy Strava Segments

20:36 - Shout out to Lorilyn Hicks

23:24 - Story of the Week - I Can’t Beli...


235 – T-Shirts : Reminders
#235
09/23/2024

What do you know about the origin of the T-shirt? They are ubiquitous in our society, but they haven’t always been. Jerry Snider shares his thoughts on the subject. Then Dean compares running to Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well. What do they have in common? Find out here!

1:02 - Cows and lawnmowers

6:07 - Post of the Week - Rusty Painter - Don’t worry about the past, just do the right thing today

10:06 - Trivia Answer from last week

14:00 - Several people have died in half m...