Joyful Journeys

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Kathleen Ecker, a former Girls on the Run coach whose journey with the program began when her daughters joined the team. She shares the joy of staying connected with her former participants and watching them grow, as well as the meaningful lessons the program instills, even for kids who aren’t big fans of running. From her time as a Gamma Phi Beta at George Mason University (GOTR NOVA's current philanthropic partner) to weaving GOTR’s life skills into her own home, Kathleen reflects on the deep, lasting impact of the program on h...

In this heartwarming episode, we hear from a mother-daughter duo whose Girls on the Run journey has come full circle. Kai fondly recalls making tie-dye shirts and tutus with her team, and the unforgettable moment when her dad proudly wore his to the 5K. After moving to a new area, GOTR helped Kai find her footing and new friendships, while her mom, Becky, coached and discovered how powerful the program is beyond running.

Together, they reflect on the growth they witnessed season after season. How the curriculum not only shaped the girls but also brought the team closer...

In this episode of Joyful Journeys, we’re joined by Julia Troppe, a Girls on the Run NOVA alum who takes us down memory lane, sharing about high-fiving teammates after practice laps and proudly wearing her 5K shirt after crossing the finish line. Julia shares how GOTR sparked her lifelong love of movement and group-based activities, and taught her that community can be found anywhere, even among strangers at a fitness class. Tune in to hear how one special song still motivates her on runs today and how the friendships formed through GOTR continue to shape her journey.

In this episode, we’re joined by Hailey Wilcott, a former Girls on the Run participant whose journey has come full circle. Now a sports photographer on the side working with some of the biggest teams in the D.C. area, Hailey shares how the lessons she learned as a young girl in GOTR continue to influence her life today.

Hailey talks about how the people around her—coaches, teammates, and her support system—shaped her GOTR experience and gave her the confidence to chase her dreams. Her story is a vibrant reminder that when you follow your passio...

This episode comes to you from an unexpected (and awesome) location, the steampunk studio! Thanks to a serendipitous connection, we met Mimi and Cailor, two Girls on the Run NOVA alum who had no idea they shared this connection.

Tune in to hear how their worlds unexpectedly collided and what these creative trailblazers are up to now as they design, disrupt, and repeat.

Katelynn Argo - Girls on the Run participant, Junior Coach, and BIG supporter. Join us as we chat with Katelynn Argo, a former Girls on the Run participant, Junior Coach, and passionate supporter of the program. Katelynn shares how GOTR helped her find community after moving to a new state and laid the foundation for her future career. Her story highlights the power of teamwork, confidence, and leadership skills built from a young age.

This week on Joyful Journeys, we're joined by Maya Cohn, who discovered her passion for running at just 8 years old through Girls on the Run. Now, more than a decade later, she's chasing that same joy all the way to the marathon finish line. Tune in to hear how GOTR sparked a lifelong love of running and the lessons she's carried with her every mile since.

Raphaella Henson-Vendrell joins Joyful Journeys to share how Girls on the Run taught her to dream big and believe in herself. From working at a nonprofit to coaching high school XC & track to leading her running club, Raphy is all about making a positive impact. Her biggest takeaway? Success isn’t one-size-fits-all—forge your own path!

Taylor Thompson—GOTR alum, SoleMate, mom, and dedicated runner—joins Joyful Journeys to share how Girls on the Run ignited her passion for running and shaped her unstoppable "I can" attitude. She also gives a special shoutout to the people who have inspired and pushed her to new heights.

This week on Joyful Journeys, Deanna Payne shares how her first impression of Girls on the Run—thinking it might be boring—quickly changed once she got started. Instead, she discovered joy in every lesson, a love for movement, and life skills that have stayed with her into adulthood.

Meet Cara Alcorn—former GOTR participant, dedicated GOTR coach, and fearless 14er challenger! Hear how GOTR shaped her as a kid and continues to inspire her every day. Don’t miss her incredible journey!

Join us for a heartfelt journey through the history of Girls on the Run NOVA with Lesley Green, owner of mb logistics & events and a dedicated supporter since the early days.
 
Lesley shares her inspiring story of how her involvement with GOTR NOVA evolved over the years, revealing how her passion for the mission not only shaped her roles within the organization but also sparked profound personal and professional growth.
 
Don’t miss this uplifting conversation celebrating the impact of GOTR NOVA and the people who make it extraordinary!

Happy 25th anniversary, Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia! This year, Joyful Journeys is celebrating by highlighting someone special from every year of our history. Join us as we reflect on the incredible journey that has shaped GOTR NOVA into the organization it is today.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into our history through the voices of GOTR NOVA's five past and current Executive Directors. Hear their stories, memories, and reflections on the challenges and triumphs that transformed a grassroots effort—once run from a home—into a thriving organization making a lasting impact in o...

Today on Joyful Journeys, GOTR alum Eliana and current participant Blake take the mic! Join them as they share heartfelt memories and the lasting impact of Girls on the Run in their lives—from building confidence to navigating college life.

Plus, get excited for the next season of Joyful Journeys as we celebrate GOTR NOVA’s 25th anniversary!

Compromise Requires Love" with Donya Gordon

In this week’s episode of Joyful Journeys, attorney Donya Gordon shares her wisdom on the art of compromise. With years of experience helping clients find common ground, Donya offers practical tips for reaching meaningful resolutions. Her key takeaway? Compromise must be mutual—it’s not about always giving in, but finding balance on both sides.

This week, we're excited to welcome Lisa Hershaft from Fairfax County Public Schools to discuss the importance of friendships! As a Social Worker, Lisa dives into how kids build friendships, what makes a good friend, and how the digital age and life post-pandemic have shaped the way kids communicate.

She also offers practical tips for helping kids create positive social circles and safely navigate social media.

Unlocking the Secrets to Effective Communication with Teaira Abston

In this episode, Teaira Abston, founder of Dreamcatcher Creative Studio, shares her expertise on mastering communication. From active listening to boosting emotional intelligence, she breaks down the essential skills for avoiding miscommunication and building strong connections. As a branding expert helping women entrepreneurs, Teaira applies these strategies daily and offers valuable insights we can all use to elevate our communication game.

On this episode of Joyful Journeys, we’re joined by Ali Newman, marketing professional and GOTR NOVA Coach, to explore the topic of conflict resolution. Ali shares her top tip: 'Stay curious.' She explains how approaching conflict with curiosity, rather than judgment, can lead to more effective and empathetic resolutions.

This week, we’re joined by Rona Jobe, CEO and Founder of LVL-Up Strategies, a strategic consulting firm empowering small businesses to reach their goals. Rona lives and breathes goal setting—whether for LVL-Up Strategies or her clients—and she’s here to share her top insights with you!

Her #1 piece of advice? “Allow yourself to dream!”

We’re joined by local entrepreneur and GOTR supermom, Tanya Jaklis, to chat all things self-awareness! From sparking curiosity to mastering communication skills, Tanya dives into why it’s so crucial to help kids build these core foundations. The best part? The stronger those skills are now, the stronger they’ll be as they grow!

The wait is over, and we're rowing into a brand-new season of #JoyfulJourneys! Kicking things off with the incredible Claire Collins, American rower who recently represented Team USA at the Paris Olympics!
 
Get ready for some behind-the-scenes Olympic village vibes and a peek at how she unknowingly channels her inner GOTR spirit in every practice and competition.

As our Joyful Journeys mini-series wraps up in honor of Women's Equality Day, we're thrilled to spotlight three powerhouse women: Kristie Kelly, Sienna Britt, and Jazmyne Claggett of the DC Divas!
Tune in as they share their experiences navigating professional careers in male-dominated fields and excelling in a sport traditionally dominated by men. These trailblazers shine a light on the hurdles they’ve overcome, both on and off the field, and share their wisdom and hopes for the future of female athletes.

Trailblazers in action! Cheryl Long and Carly Hutchison from the Arlington Fire Department are breaking barriers and inspiring young girls to follow their passions, no matter the field. Their unique perspectives as women in a male-dominated industry are making a big difference!

Meet Kera Drabick, who traded in event planning for a hard hat and a supportive sisterhood! As a proud member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), she's here to share her journey of empowerment and breaking barriers in the construction industry. Tune in to hear her take on why men may populate the field, but they sure don't dominate it!

Meet Shanika McCloud: a powerhouse in the financial world, defying the odds in a male-dominated industry. Tune in to hear how Shanika offers a fresh perspective on financial advising, empowering women to take control of their financial futures.

Meet Shauna Moller: a trailblazing Manassas City Police Officer and inspiring Girls on the Run Coach! Tune in to hear her unique journey as a female officer breaking barriers in a male-dominated field. Discover how her passion for community led to the start of a GOTR team powered by the dedication of police officers!

It is the final week of the spring 2024 Girls on the Run season and as our participants are preparing for the big celebration this weekend, we are joined by Nicol and Nia to chat about goals!

Goal setting is a large part of Girls on the Run, whether the participants realize it or not! They set and evaluate their goals EVERY practice by setting a lap goal and then reflecting on it at the end of practice.

This mother-daughter duo shares about the importance of goal setting from the early days of childhood into adulthood.

Northern Virginia native Danielle Craddock shares about the nonprofit Girls Inspired & Ready to Lead, Inc. (GIRL), which she founded in 2010, and the book she recently published.

Danielle supports high school-aged girls in finding their career path through different experiences and events. She is a big believer in learning through services and talks about the community service projects her teens have completed over the years.
 
Listen in to learn more about what her book has to offer and why she believes introducing key life skills at a young age positively impacts kids later in life!

City of Fairfax Mayor Catherine S. Read joins us this week to discuss the impact youth have in the community, American Civil Rights leader Barbara Johns, and key skills we should all master. 

Not everyone knows Barbara Johns, but she was an important historical figure. Listen to why Mayor Read believes her story is so impactful and important for today's youth to learn.

Key skills we should all work on:
Try new thingsSelf-advocacy Confidence Setting boundariesQuiet time/time to self to process

In this episode we are joined by Vineeth Lagouit, Principal at Loch Lomond Elementary School in Manassas, Virginia.

Vineeth highlights the school's rich diversity, sharing how it fosters unity among its members. She also emphasizes how the school strives to be more than just an academic center, aiming to make it a place for everyone in the community.

The Girls on the Run team at Loch Lomond is just one group of kids on a mission to be the best includers they can be!

Abby Drexler, GOTR NOVA alumni and SoleMate, joins us this week to talk about the importance and power of friendship!



Abby recently completed the Marine Corps Marathon as a GOTR NOVA SoleMate (you can too, visit www.gotrnova.org/SoleMates) and shares her experience from the beginning to the end, with a sweet story along the way.

Marie Hamilton, President of P.S. You Are Fabulous joins us on #JoyfulJourneys this week to share about the importance of embracing our individuality and being true to ourselves.
 
Marie has turned her passion for fashion into her mission to enrich the lives of the blind, visually impaired, and disabled so they may become the best version of themselves through fashion.
 
Listen in to hear why it is crucial for kids to embrace their uniqueness and how adults can learn from kids when it comes to finding strength in our differences.

Hannah Flanders is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and GOTR NOVA Coach. In this episode, she talks to us about the importance of teaching and understanding emotions and feelings!


Listen in for:
Hannah's tips to help kids express their feelingsHer thoughts on anger as a secondary emotionHer most significant piece of advice on how to support kids

This week our program participants are learning that all bodies rock and we Ashleigh Aviles, creator of Empowered with Ash, which focuses on helping women become confident through different aspects of health and fitness. Follow along to catch why Ashleigh believes it is critical for young girls to practice a positive mindset.

This week is all about finding our happy pace in every aspect of life! Listen in for the 3 daily tasks Kristen completes to bring balance to her life.

This week we are chatting with GOTR NOVA Alumni, current Junior Coach, and Coach Advisory Council member, Jenna Jumaili!