Our Run Mindful Ambassador Team

“Mindfulness is the way to find pleasure in the present and transform from living life to enjoying life."

Keith is a Midwest trail runner from Kansas City, MO. He’s been a regular run leader at Boulder Run Mindful retreats since 2015. He is often alongside other Run Mindful family members during their running escapades. Keith is married and a father of two adventurous kids.

“I started ultrarunning for one particular moment. I wanted to find that time where my body said, ‘Stop’ and my mind said, ‘No’. In this perfect moment of existence, I found mindfulness, and have been pursuing it ever since.”

When he was 13 years old, Alex claimed “the mile is too long of a race for me”. A lot can change in 16 years, and now at 29 he finds himself regularly competing in races of 100 miles. Another lifelong interest Alex has maintained is a fascination with the connection between mind and body. Completing a PhD in Psychology in 2018, Alex is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Army Research Institute, investigating how mindfulness can be used as a tool for maintaining a calm, focused presence in the most difficult scenarios imaginable. Alex believes that running and mindfulness bring him closer to the ideal state of existence – placing him between the past and future into the perfect space of the present. He currently lives in Kansas City with his girlfriend, Allegra.

“Even if you have nothing, you always have your breath.”

This statement has been said in one way or another by many mindfulness advocates. It reminds us that we don’t need any special tools to practice mindfulness and that when we feel most empty, we still have the essential tool for mindfulness. Something we rarely think about has an incredible amount of significance—a parallel to so many things in life.

Amy Abriani is passionate trail runner hailing from the midwest. As a Middle School Wellness teacher, Amy spends her days lighting the fire of fitness for her students. She has been a part of the initiatives developed, within the school, introducing mindfulness to teachers and students as a way to not only cope with life’s challenges but enhance life’s many great experiences. She has been a regular practitioner of yoga for nearly a decade and finds mindful movement to bring the greatest peace to her day. The Run Mindful Retreat had a great impact on how she approached running and mindfulness both on a personal level as well as with the running teams she coaches. She hopes to continue to share this passion with young people so these healthy habits can be developed early and maintained through adulthood.

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." Buddha

Annie Weiss is a Registered Dietitian and ultra-runner living and training in Milwaukee, WI. She recently broke the overall record (FKT) on the 1200-mile Ice Age Trail. Annie loves to run, eat, and travel the world exploring new trails, foods, and ways of life. Through exploration, she has learned to balance competition, work, and family by practicing mindfulness each day. It has become an important part of her life as she implemented a routine of stillness post-activity and staying in the present moment as much as possible after attending a RunMindful retreat in 2015.

“For me, running came first - and it has always been a great way to get outside, challenge my physical and mental focus, and connect with nature. But, when mindfulness came, it came in a way that connected it immediately and directly to running. As I started dabbling with sitting meditation, I was able to see just how beautiful the silence and stillness were and watch as that stillness began to carry over, mindfully, into my daily activities—everything from making dinner - to playing with my kids - to buzzing around on trails through the forest. Finding that breath and stillness in every moment. It has been an amazing journey to watch the connection between mindfulness/meditation/running unfold.”

Born and raised in a very small town in central Ohio, USA (think cornfields, cattle pastures, and one traffic light) Chad spent just about every waking hour of his childhood outside exploring and connecting with nature. After Chad married his wife, Angie, in the summer of 2004 they relocated to the Akron, Ohio area to pursue careers and they remain in the area today with their four children. Chad’s running journey began shortly after marriage when Angie convinced him to train for and run a marathon with her.

Numerous marathons and 50k's later - now eager to move into 50 and 100-milers - Chad enjoys running trails and some roads as a way to stay connected with nature, mind, body and beyond. Living very close to the Cuyahoga Valley Nation Park, which offers many acres of protected lands and trails, he loves spending days exploring the beautiful landscape running solo, with friends and with his family. He incorporates a practice of mindfulness and meditation daily in his life, as it's benefits are countless. He feels more focused, aware, vibrant, alive, intentional and connected - with a newfound zest for life and an excitement to share it with others!

Coaching middle school Cross Country and Track teams, organizing family-friendly group trail runs and plugging into his local community keeps Chad busy and focused on spreading the joys and benefits of running, outdoor adventure, mindfulness, and meditation with the world.

“There is surely nothing other than the single purpose of the present moment. A man's whole life is a succession of moment after moment. If one fully understands the present moment, there will be nothing else to do, nothing else to pursue. Live being true to the single purpose of the moment." -Yamamoto Tsunetomo

“Running & Mindfulness teaches me that I am capable of so much more than I had ever imagined.”

Hanna is a passionate runner since her childhood. She enjoys running from middle to long distances – on trails in pure nature as well as on the road or on the track. She is German Marathon Champion in her age group and strongly believes in the transformative effects of mindfulness and the power of the mind: “Train your mind and the body will follow”.

As certified mindfulness teacher (MBSR, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction), active meditation facilitator and successful athlete she is a pioneer in merging mindfulness & sports in German speaking countries. She loves to share her experiences and knowledge with other runners – from beginners to professionals. Hanna lives in the north of Germany, in Hamburg & Berlin.

“Perspective can make challenges appear mountainous or possibilities look infinite.”

Between skis, bikes, snowshoes and sneakers, Jill has been active around the globe since leaving Canada soon after college. With more than 60 countries travelled including work stints in Singapore, Russia, Switzerland and Germany, it was while working as a Health, Sport Science and Physical Education teacher in Bavaria when a sport accident changed Jill’s life in a fraction of a second. The wake of a traumatic brain injury left her severely visually impaired, with a life threatening eating disorder and days from death. After more than 2 years in hospitals spread over 3 countries, she is now embracing the 30% vision she still has and the life she nearly lost running mindfully in mountains around the world.

Jill has discovered melding the merits of meditation with movement in mountains a cathartic pairing which strengthens mind and body allowing her to be a more gratified runner.

To read more about Jill’s story and follow her trails check out Mountains of my Mind: https://mountainsofmymind.com.

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~Viktor Frankl

Justin Ross is a clinical psychologist in Denver, CO specializing in sports performance psychology. He is continually curious about pursuing his own (perceived) limits, and enjoys helping others in their similar pursuits. He is a 10 time marathoner (5 BQ's) and 2 time Ironman 70.3 finisher. Mindfulness is a cornerstone of his approach, both in and out of sport. When he's not working with athletes or running himself, he is likely to be with his family; his wife, 2 children (ages 7 and 5) and 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

Dr Ross currently teaches an introduction to mindfulness class in the Center for Integrative Medicine at UCHealth, where he is adjunct faculty. He has several recorded meditations on the Insight Timer app, including a guided race day practice. His 10 day course on high performance psychology is expected to be available soon on Insight Timer.

“Since participating in the August 2015 Run Mindful Retreat, I found myself opening up to the magical moments that can be found on every trail if we approach running and hiking with being truly present and mindful. I have found my cares diminished, my heart happier, and my trail time a deeper and more connective experience since incorporating mindfulness into my life.”

Karen started running on the dirt roads of Vermont in the mid-1970s as a way to stay healthy and fit both physically and mentally. She started trail running in the hills of the San Francisco Bay Area and ran her first 50K in 2011. She has since completed close to 30 ultramarathons. Karen is a USATF-certified coach who enjoys helping new trail runners feel comfortable and have a positive, empowering experience.

Karen is a senior program manager for a nonprofit environmental organization and manages conservation projects in Sri Lanka, the Dominican Republic and East Africa. Other than running and hiking, she enjoys yoga and volunteering at the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, as well as at local trail races and fun runs. A proud native of Vermont, she lives in Loveland, CO.

“I think the word mindfulness is often something people shy away from. To me it is simply about managing positive and negative shifts my body goes through daily. Being aware of them and learning how to adjust and not be knocked over by things as the harder shifts pop up unexpectedly. This works in life and running. Through training and racing.”

Kelly is the Chef and Owner of Real Athlete Diets (RAD) Boulder. She has been running since the age of five. Living the dream in the Front Range of ColoRADo!

"When we can contact the flow of body, elements, and movement on the trail with mindful awareness, we can train the limitless qualities of the heart."

Kimberly Sogge PhD CPsych. Kimberly is a Canadian clinical health psychologist and International Mindfulness Teachers Association mindfulness teacher, as well as a certified Mindful Self Compassion teacher. Kimberly has practiced meditation in the insight tradition for 15 years and guides Canadian mindfulness and compassion meditation daylong and residential retreats in the Ottawa River watershed region through Wild Blue Mindfulness, which dedicates a portion of all proceeds to indigenous empowerment and environmental protection nonprofits. As a health care provider Kimberly often includes time in nature as part of her recovery recommendations for her clients, and her own lifestyle includes lots of time running, playing, hiking, and meditating in nature with her life partner Peter Lloyd who introduced her to trail running. Peter and Kim love planning wilderness and trail running adventures by choice in Canada, the Northeast of North America, and Europe. Kimberly’s running style is less about competition and speed and more about embodiment, nature connection, play and community: she has had the delight of being a relaxed and steady-paced team member in the Canadian Death Race, the Sinister Seven, and other trail adventures. Kimberly is currently organizing a team of psychotherapists and psychologists at her workplace, Ottawa River Psychology Group, to run in the Love. You. Run for Women event in Canada’s Capital of Ottawa to raise funds for women’s mental health.

"What day is it?" asked Pooh. "It's today," squeaked Piglet. "My favourite day!" said Pooh." - A.A. Milne

"Sometimes the silence guides our minds." ~ From the song Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood.

Maggie was born and raised in Brooklyn, though her first language is Cantonese Chinese. The concept of translation has always fascinated her; it is being able to bridge gaps using language, interaction, etc. She has had to translate a lot, whether for her parents or in her work as a Financial Advisor. Maggie works with individuals and families to translate their financial goals into reality through life insurance, investments or retirement planning. Outside of that, she is very involved with November Project, a grassroots free-fitness movement that currently exists in 49 cities around the world. Maggie co-leads a weekly workout for the November Project in Brooklyn. The workout exists no matter the weather and is open to individuals of all fitness levels; it has allowed her to witness incredible feats of grit and community. And saving the best for last, let's talk about her relationship with running. It wasn't until college that she could fathom doing anything more than a mile. Since then, she has tested the bounds of her running capability, having raced distances ranging from the single mile to full marathon. Currently she is on a conquest to complete the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Despite all the road-running, she truly enjoys any chance to swap the concrete jungle for trails. Maggie loves traveling, photography, cartwheels, and meditating.

“Feeling the earth under my feet, the grass under my sole, the wind in my face and my heart beating makes me grateful for every step I run or walk.“

Maty (in real Matylda) lives in Berlin, Germany and is a mom of a ten year old boy and also four stepchildren (almost grown up). Her house is always full of laughter, love and noise. Mat works for Lufthansa German Airlines, so she travels a lot. But in her free time she prefers slow travelling, like by train or car, so she often spends her weekends in the mountains of Germany, Austria or Italy. Maty is a mountain person and feels most alive when she can sleep outside, feel the elements and when she is close to nature.

Around 20 years ago she discovered the ancient writings of Yoga and started her yoga and meditation path with Zen and Vipassana Retreats and Yoga Teacher Trainings. The path never ends and she still learns every day new.

Maty started running many years ago, as running outside in nature is very similar to walking meditation if You choose so. In Running she learned equanimity when touching her limits and still enjoying the moment even in hard races. She competed with her partner in many Ultra Races and loves both - running all alone in calmness or together with others in trail competitions.

2017 was a very challenging year for Maty, as she suddenly suffered three strokes due to a heart tumor. Meditation, yoga, but also her experiences during hard races helped her to breath through every hard moment. Step by step. She survived and recovered fully. Today her heart is not only healed but also full of gratitude and awareness. Maty is thankful for every morning that she can witness a beautiful sunrise, run in the morning and hug her family.

Maty teaches yoga and mindfulness and also organizes with my partner (who is an ultrarunner also) running workshops in her homeforest. The Grunewald Running Company is their baby, and they love to connect with other people through running and their love for nature.

“Wherever You stand, be the soul of this place.“ ~ Rumi

"To me, running and mindfulness are medicine, especially when practiced in nature. They have provided me healing by allowing me to be more compassionate for myself and others. I commit to each of these practices on a daily basis so that I can process life in a healthy way. Running and mindfulness help my daily awareness so much so that when my wife notices that I am off, or down, or agitated that she'll ask me if I need to go on a run or meditate. These activities ground me and bring me back to the beginning of my exciting journey."

Michael first became aware of mindful running in a book which prompted him to attend the June 2018 Run Mindful retreat in Boulder. Following the retreat, he began his mindfulness practice with a guided, seated meditation early each morning and has recently expanded his practice to include a midday meditation. With a daily foundation in seated meditation, he feels he is better able to “re-arrive” at what he does the rest of the day, whether he is spending time with his family, running, or working. Michael believes in sharing the power of running with others. He is a Run Mentor with Mile in My Shoes, a running team that runs with people experiencing homelessness or transitioning from incarceration. He is also a member of the Mill City Running Race Team and a middle school cross country coach. Michael is originally from southern Indiana, but now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife Nikki and their three (soon to be four) kids. He spends as much time as he can running around the city’s beautiful lakes and exploring trails throughout the wonderful city, regional and state parks in Minnesota.

“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” - T.S. Eliot

"Trail running embodies the full spirit of mindfulness, focus and attention in the moment… it is a practice in mindfulness and of itself."

Peter is a business consultant and Level IV CCC cross country ski coach from Ottawa, Canada who has a passion for trail running in the Gatineau hills of Quebec. Peter runs trail 50k ultras and has competed in his age class in the Laugevegur Ultra in Iceland, the Lost Souls Ultra in Canada and many others in Eastern Canada; he holds a longtime dream of doing the UTMB in France with his ultra buddies from the Ottawa region. Peter was introduced to mindfulness meditation by jumping into a full week silent retreat with Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh in 2010 following a trek in the mountains of Peru. He immediately saw the transformative effects of training his mind with mindfulness meditation in his life and his sport and has been practicing meditation and encouraging the nordic skiing athletes he coaches to practice ever since. Peter trained as a teacher of Mindful Performance Enhancement and Knowledge (mPEAK) with Pete Kushner of UCSD and currently practices mindfulness meditation and mindfulness in nature through trail adventures by choice in the mountains with his life partner and fellow Run Mindful ambassador Kimberly Sogge.