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Breaking the Stigma: Why It’s Okay to Talk About Mental Health Struggles
Stigma gets in the way of honesty. Mental health stigma and the stigma of mental illness convince people it’s safer to stay quiet, even when they’re hurting. It creates pressure to hide symptoms, pretend nothing is wrong, or push through on your own. Those negative attitudes from society can make you feel like your mental health concerns reflect personal weakness, when the truth is that mental illnesses are real health conditions that deserve compassion and care.
Amber Kraus
10 minutes ago6 min read
From the Couch to the Course: How the Starting Line Scholarship Sparked a New Chapter
"Without this program and the people involved in helping me achieve growth, I would have been at home, sitting on my couch, afraid to get up and try." - Victoria Gill
Kyria’ Phenix
Nov 282 min read
The Value of Team Still I Run: Chris Vetter's NYC Marathon Story
Chris Vetter discovered Still I Run without realizing how meaningful it would become just months later, when he and his wife experienced a miscarriage at 20 weeks during his training for the 2022 New York City Marathon. The community that Still I Run provided gave Chris the strength to keep pushing through the darkest time of his life and accomplish something great. Back to the Beginning Chris is no stranger to mental health struggles. He was diagnosed with anxiety and depres
Layla Kattau
Nov 113 min read
Finding His Stride: Ali Akhtar's Marathon Journey
The day that Ali Akhtar was supposed to take the MCAT, he decided he didn't really want to be a doctor. He just thought he was supposed to. He wanted to help people, but differently, so he started down the road to be a therapist.
Layla Kattau
Oct 313 min read
How to Run Faster
There comes a point for every runner when you start to wonder how to run faster. Maybe you want to beat your previous mile time, keep up with a friend, or just feel that satisfying rhythm when your stride clicks and the ground seems to move under you a little easier. The truth is, speed doesn’t come from talent alone; it comes from practice, patience, and a plan.
Amber Kraus
Oct 275 min read
From Walking to Half Marathons: How the Starting Line Scholarship Changed My Life
When Barbara first discovered the Starting Line Scholarship, running was not yet part of her life. She had been walking daily for about two and a half years and noticed the impact movement had on her mental health, helping manage anxiety, depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and grief. But when the idea of adding running came up, she was not sure how to begin. “I had never run and didn’t know where to start,” she shared. “I happened across the Starting Line Scholar
Amber Kraus
Oct 272 min read
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