The RMA Podcast. Episode 22. Forming Community through running far from home & running free. With Amanda Richardson

In episode 22 we talk to RMA Amanda Richardson. Amanda is an Aussie mum to two boys and currently lives in Toronto, Canada where she moved three years ago for her husbands work. I talk to Amanda about what it was like to move to the other side of the world with a young family and the isolation in which that experience brought her. You see, Amanda initially couldn't find the same connections that RMA gave her through running with women here in Australia, and it was during this isolation, when times really got tough that Amanda along with some local women formed their own running community, Chix Run the Six.

This new established network of running women was formed to help engage, inspire and encourage women to live big, chase goals and be connected, just like we do here at RMA. Although in it's infancy, Amanda and her tribe are making waves in Toronto and creating a wonderful community which was much needed, especially during a global pandemic, and I wanted to dive in and learn more about what made Amanda start this group and the similarities that both our networks share.

We also chat things to do with motherhood, and importantly the catalyst to Amanda's running journey, when she was battling post natal depression and anxiety and her doctor prescribed running as a form of stress release and exercise to help her through this difficult time. I am sure many can relate. In those early days any run with a baby in the pram was an accomplishment for the day, and her consistent runs improved her mental and physical health, and she was able to set herself some small goals. Fast forward to Amanda meeting some mums at her local school (RMA Ambassador Ana Croger one of them) that her whole journey changed, and those goals turned into big plans including running half marathons, marathons and world majors.

Amanda is infectious in her attitude, and although living abroad can seem isolating, she has turned this experience around and is in-turn creating her own story and the story for hundreds of others and we are really excited to partner as sisters across the globe with Chix Run the Six and support this initiative, especially with our RMA sister Amanda at the helm.

You can find Amanda on instagram where she chats all things life, running, parenthood and plant-based nutrition at @plantbasedmotherrunner or you can follow Chix Run the Six at @chixrunthe6ix

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