Our Collective Stories

Some people light up a room the moment they show up. Kat Polack is one of those people. Even through a virtual interview, her big smile, warmth, and genuine excitement for running came through immediately. It was obvious we’d connect over a shared love of movement and what it can do for your mental health. Kat’s story is layered, honest, and deeply relatable, especially for anyone who has used running as a way to come back to themselves.

Some of the most meaningful mental health quotes aren’t pulled from books or research papers. They’re born from lived experience, from miles logged on hard days, and from runners who keep showing up through mental health struggles, mental illness, and uncertainty.

Most of us reach for social media without thinking. It fills small gaps in the day, helps us feel connected to friends and family, and gives us a quick way to catch up on the world. But a new nine-year study out of Baylor University suggests something we might not want to admit. The more time we spend on social media platforms, the lonelier many of us tend to feel.

Social media and physical activity often live at opposite ends of our day. One keeps us glued to digital platforms and social media sites, and the other gets us moving in ways that support both physical and mental health. Most of us already know which one usually wins, especially when scrolling feels easier than getting up.

January often inspires people to set big goals, start new habits, or overhaul their entire fitness routine, but many runners end up feeling overwhelmed before the month is even half over. If you live with mental health challenges, that pressure can hit extra hard. A helpful way to ease into the new year is to keep things simple and build stability through a small, steady pre-run routine.

Most of us reach for our phones without thinking about it. Between digital devices, work screens, gaming consoles, and the moments we fill by watching TV or scrolling social media, screen time has become part of daily life. It is helpful in many ways, yet it has a real impact on overall well being. If you live with mental health struggles, or you use running to support your mental health, the connection between screen time and health is worth paying attention to.