Welcome back to The Running Around Charlotte Podcast! On the program with us today is Erin Vinson, a Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassador, relay enthusiast, and ultra-distance runner. Erin’s running journey has taken her from the Dam to Dam, Ville to Ville, and Blue Ridge Relay courses, all the way to taking on the Blackbeard 100-mile run. She’s also known for her humor and honesty about the realities of running and her passion for how running can transform individuals and communities. Erin is a champion for mental health, breaking down diet culture, and she never misses a chance to shout out her “Marathon Enablers” and the “Cougar Run Club” for their support.

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Welcome to The Running Around Charlotte Podcast! On this episode, we’ve got Meilin Tompkins with us, a 2025 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassador who has inspiring story of her own. She went from being NOT a runner, to becoming a passionate ambassador for the marathon, and is now the marketing director for one of Charlotte’s “OG” running specialty shops!  

Meilin’s story is a testament to how consistent effort and dedication can turn anyone into a runner and a community leader. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:23 — 19.6MB)

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Welcome back to The Running Around Charlotte Podcast. On this episode, we’ve got Erica Meisner, the founder of Mental Health Matters here with us.  Erica is not only a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, but she’s also a former college lacrosse player who turned into a runner! Her organization hosts the annual Mental Health Matters 5k here in Charlotte, bringing together runners and community members to support mental health initiatives.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:17 — 19.5MB)

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Welcome back to The Running Around Charlotte Podcast. We’re glad to be back in the studio with you —and of course – we’re happy to have you listening! On this episode, we get to catch up with the second-best looking bald guy on the Charlotte running scene. 

My man Miller Yoho is on the program, and after you’ve googled his picture, you can listen in on this week’s conversation. Miller’s the guy behind some of the best Charlotte sports tweets, the bowl game with the most “twang,” and The Meck Mile.

The event is BACK for year 2… and Miller’s back on the Running Around Charlotte podcast! 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:56 — 21.6MB)

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Welcome back to The Running Around Charlotte Podcast. We’re glad to be back in the studio with you —and of course – we’re happy to have you listening!

On this episode, we’re playing hookey with our new friend Sarah Barton Thomas. OK, we’re really not ditching out of class, but what else do you call it when you get the principal to spend a half hour of the school day with you? Recess?? 

Regardless, Sarah Barton Thomas is just a delight. Full disclosure, she left us a voicemail a few weeks back to help us with a writing project, and we KNEW we’d have to get her on the program!

If dogs, coffee, running, and lifelong learning appeal to you at all… this episode is for you! 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:23 — 22.8MB)

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Welcome back to The Running Around Charlotte Podcast. We’re glad to be back in the studio with you —and of course – we’re happy to have you listening! Today, we’re excited to introduce you to a guy who’s a regular at the finish line of the Novant Health Charlotte half marathon… Cliff Anderson.

Clif also happens to be one of our 2025 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassadors. Listen in and you can almost hear the smile on his face when he tells us about his running journey – and his comeback from a rare blood cancer. Man, what a great story! We’re glad he’s on the team, and our guest this week on The Running Around Charlotte Podcast!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:16 — 22.7MB)

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Welcome back to The Running Around Charlotte Podcast. We’re glad to be back in the studio with you —and of course – we’re happy to have you listening! Today, we’re excited to introduce you to another one of our 2025 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassadors. This week’s guest is Brendan Miller-Radest. 

Brendan is a recovering New Jersey native living in Charlotte now. He’s a dog dad, regular run-clubber, and is potentially resurrecting his DJ career?? We’re getting into all that on this episode of The Running Around Charlotte Podcast! 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:12 — 20.2MB)

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A few months back, we got the chance to talk with Smita Warrier here on the show. She casually discussed what — for most folks — would be an anxiety-inducing and one-of-a-kind opportunity: running 7 marathons over 7 continents in just 7 days. Along with the mileage, she’d be raising money and awareness for educational assistance for girls in her native India.

While she was out overachieving, we’re not really sure what all we got done. We certainly didn’t log a 180-plus mile week, or rack up 25,000 airline miles in the same week.

Well, Smita’s back in the CLT and has plenty of stories to share about her adventure — and her “why.” We’re happy to have her back on this episode of The Running Around Charlotte Podcast!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:05 — 25.7MB)

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Welcome back to The Running Around Charlotte Podcast! We’re excited to continue our special series featuring Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassadors. Our next guest is Tara Kelbagh, a passionate runner who has seen her life transform since she started running consistently. Tara attributes much of her positive experiences to the supportive community she’s encountered and now wants to pay it forward by inspiring others to get involved in running.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:34 — 15.7MB)

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Welcome back to The Running Around Charlotte Podcast! If you’re doing any kind of distance running you know – at some point you’re going to need a little fuel in the tank. In this day and age, there are LOADS of gels, “goos,” bars, and stuff to help keep your energy up. We’re probably tried them all, which has us REALLY excited about today’s guest. He’s got something all new, and all natural.

We’re talking with a local runner and entrepreneur who’s making waves in the endurance fueling world. We’re excited to welcome Joe McMahan, the founder of Azoia Endurance, a company making all-natural energy gels right here in Charlotte.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:53 — 20.0MB)

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