From “I Hate Running” to Run Chapter Captain: How Leah Found Healing Through Movement

For most of her life, Leah Thompson would have never described herself as a runner. In fact, she strongly identified as the opposite.

“I hated running,” she says. “I played soccer in high school, and any time we had running drills, I just didn’t enjoy it at all. It definitely didn’t feel like something that was for me.”

But life has a way of gently shifting the stories we tell ourselves.

In December 2021, Leah agreed to sign up for a 5K with someone she was dating at the time. When race day arrived, she ultimately backed out. Still, something about that experience stayed with her. The idea of running lingered quietly in the background, nudging her to reconsider what she thought she knew about herself.

By 2022, Leah decided to try again — this time on her own terms.

She didn’t jump straight into long runs or rigid training plans. Instead, she started simply. During breaks at work, she would go for walks. Eventually, she began jogging for just one song on her playlist. Then maybe two. Slowly, gently, she built consistency without pressure.

That same year, Leah ran her first 5K — a Turkey Trot alongside her dad.

Running became something they could share together. It gave them time to talk, move, and support each other. What once felt intimidating began to feel meaningful.

Navigating Loss, Change, and Starting Over

At the end of 2022, Leah faced an unexpected setback when she needed hip surgery. Recovery was challenging, both physically and mentally.

Then 2023 brought even more heartbreak when her partner passed away. It was a heavy year filled with grief, healing, and adjustment.

Toward the end of that year, Leah began attending group runs. Showing up wasn’t always easy, but the simple act of being around others who were moving forward helped her feel less alone.

In early 2024, she made a major life change, leaving a job she had held for seven years and moving to Florida for three months. During that time, running wasn’t a consistent part of her routine, but the foundation she had built was still there.

Later that year, Leah experienced another profound loss when her dad passed away in October 2024. The two never got to run another race together, but the memories they created through movement remained deeply meaningful.

Eventually, she found her way back to group runs once again.

In 2025, a fellow runner offered simple words that stuck with her: “You’re a runner.”

Sometimes, it takes someone else seeing something in us before we can believe it ourselves.

Finding Confidence Through the Mental Health Runner Program

When the opportunity came along to participate in the Still I Run Mental Health Runner Program, Leah embraced it fully. For the first time, she had proper running shoes, thoughtfully designed gear, and a structured training plan to guide her forward.

More importantly, she had a supportive framework rooted in compassion, flexibility, and progress over perfection.

With renewed confidence, Leah signed up for an 8K race. She showed up fully herself, wearing sparkle freckles and proudly representing Still I Run gear. Crossing the finish line brought a powerful sense of accomplishment and excitement.

Motivated by that experience, she registered for the Garmin 10K. She pushed herself hard, faced the challenge head-on, and finished strong.

Each step reinforced something important: she was capable of more than she once believed.

The program helped her build consistency and confidence, but it also gave her something even more meaningful — a desire to help others experience the same sense of support and belonging.

Leah became a Still I Run ambassador and soon after took the leap to launch a Run Chapter in Toledo, Ohio.

Creating a Space Where Everyone Belongs

For Leah, starting a Run Chapter feels like a natural extension of her journey. She deeply believes in the mission of Still I Run and the power of creating spaces where people can show up exactly as they are.

“It’s really exciting to build a growing community and create a low-stress running environment,” she says. “So often, running groups have big, intimidating goals. I love the idea of just getting together and doing what feels good for that day.”

That philosophy reflects something core to Still I Run’s approach to mental well-being: movement is not about pace, performance, or pressure. It’s about showing up, connecting, and taking care of yourself in a way that feels sustainable.

Still I Run believes movement is vital to mental health and wellness, and that when people move together with purpose, stigma begins to fall away and connection grows stronger.

Leah is helping bring that belief to life in Toledo by creating a welcoming space where every story and every pace is valued.

Advice for Anyone Getting Started

For those who feel intimidated by the idea of running, Leah encourages letting go of expectations and focusing on what feels supportive.

“Let go of the idea you have in your head of what running is or should be,” she says. “Let yourself do what feels good for you. And allow yourself to build from that.”

Her own journey is proof that running doesn’t need to look a certain way to make an impact. It can start with a walk, a single song, or simply the willingness to try.

Movement as a Space to Process and Heal

Running has become an important part of how Leah cares for her mental health. It gives her time to think, reflect, and work through life’s challenges in a way that feels grounding.

“Running has become my space to assess everything,” she explains. “My best runs often come on my hardest days. It’s nice to take an hour and realize that nothing else matters except the movement and what I’m thinking through in that moment.”

She’s noticed that things that once felt overwhelming begin to feel more manageable while she’s moving.

“My brain just works so much better when I’m running,” she says. “Problems that felt like major obstacles suddenly break down and feel easier than I thought.”

That shift — from feeling stuck to feeling capable — is something many mental health runners experience. Movement creates space for clarity, perspective, and forward momentum.

Looking Ahead for the Toledo Run Chapter

As the Toledo Run Chapter grows, Leah is excited to see more people experience the benefits of running for mental well-being in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Her journey hasn’t been linear. It has included setbacks, loss, restarts, and rediscovery.

And that’s exactly why she connects so deeply with Still I Run’s message: forward is a pace.

Every step counts. Every restart matters. Every runner belongs.

If you’re in the Toledo area and looking for a welcoming community that values connection over competition, the Still I Run Toledo Run Chapter is ready to meet you wherever you are on your journey.