520. Saila Consalvi, 13-Time Marathoner with Lung Cancer
Ali on the Run Show19 Touko 2022

520. Saila Consalvi, 13-Time Marathoner with Lung Cancer

"From the start, it was like, I'm gonna deal with this, but I'm not going to let this take over. I'm not going to let it take my life away. I'm not going to let it take my happiness away. So I do it, and I deal with it, and some days are really tough, but I still want to live my life."

In January, 13-time marathoner Saila Consalvi was told she'd be lucky if she could watch this year's Boston Marathon, let alone run it. And yet, four months later, she defied expectation: She completed the 2022 Boston Marathon. In this conversation, Saila talks about what it took to complete her third Boston Marathon, and about her road to the start line, which hasn't been easy. In 2017, Saila was 35 years old and had just completed her ninth marathon and her first Ironman. She was in the best shape of her life. But soon, things just felt...off. Then, she was diagnosed with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Today, Saila — who is from Finland — lives in Denver, CO, with her husband and their four-month-old son, Enzo.

SPONSOR: UCAN — Go to ucan.co/ali and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.

What you'll get on this episode:

  • Why Saila ran Boston with "Sally" on her shirt (3:40)
  • Saila's story about running Boston with Peloton instructor Jess Sims (6:00)
  • Saila's Boston Marathon recap (8:00)
  • Saila's advice for runners who are raising money for charity (14:20)
  • How Saila got into running (16:35)
  • Saila's lung cancer diagnosis (24:00)
  • On fear, and adjusting to life with cancer (37:30)
  • How Saila remains optimistic in the face of so much bad news (52:00)
  • How Saila found the strength to get to the Boston Marathon start line (56:50)

For more, check out:

Jess Sims on Episode 516 of the Ali on the Run Show

"My Beauty Uniform: Saila Hanninen," via Cup of Jo

Follow Saila:

Follow Ali:

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

Jaksot(867)

856. A Holiday Message from Ali, 2025 Edition

856. A Holiday Message from Ali, 2025 Edition

"I felt your hands on my back. And I needed them." I love you. I appreciate you. In this short solo episode, I'm wishing you the happiest holidays and reflecting a bit. This year, for me, was at times...

22 Joulu 202517min

855. Lauren "Fithy" Hunnewell, Animal Rescue League Volunteer & 41-Time Marathoner

855. Lauren "Fithy" Hunnewell, Animal Rescue League Volunteer & 41-Time Marathoner

"I run with all dogs, any dogs." Lauren "Fithy" Hunnewell is the North America running events manager for New Balance. She is the New York Road Runners partnership lead, so she works super closely wi...

18 Joulu 20251h 6min

854. Jenny Grimshaw, 2:32 Marathoner

854. Jenny Grimshaw, 2:32 Marathoner

"I had this sense of nostalgia, of we're going to look back on this as something special. We all felt a little bit of something magical going on." She's come a long way, baby! Jenny Grimshaw returns t...

11 Joulu 20251h 5min

853. The Support Squad Series: Round 8 with Danielle "Dee" Mastronardi

853. The Support Squad Series: Round 8 with Danielle "Dee" Mastronardi

"You prioritize your life for the people who mean the most to you. And that's how it's been since day one for us." Two days before Thanksgiving, I was up at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for ...

4 Joulu 20251h 46min

852. Ask Ali!

852. Ask Ali!

"If they come up with a Dancing with the Stars and it's Dancing with the Podcast Hosts, and it's tap dancing, put me in, coach." Welcome to Ask Ali, a monthly series where I answer all of your questio...

25 Marras 20251h 11min

851. Jordan Litz's 2025 New York City Marathon Recap

851. Jordan Litz's 2025 New York City Marathon Recap

"Running the marathon and doing two Broadway shows in the same day — I've never felt more New York than that day." Did you hear about the man who ran the 2025 New York City Marathon and then went on t...

20 Marras 20251h 13min

850. Carl Radke's 2025 New York City Marathon Recap

850. Carl Radke's 2025 New York City Marathon Recap

"Running single-handedly saved me during this last year." Carl Radke is best known as a longtime cast member on Bravo's Summer House. Through nine seasons of the reality show, he's been open and hones...

18 Marras 20251h 20min

849. Katie Couric, Journalist

849. Katie Couric, Journalist

"I just feel like when I see injustice, at this point in my life, I have to call it out." Katie Couric has been my idol since I was in high school, and it's truly an honor to welcome her to the Ali on...

13 Marras 20251h 26min

Suosittua kategoriassa Terveys ja hyvinvointi

unicast
tiedenaiset-podcast
rss-pitaisko-erota
rss-hanna-tikander
vakeva-elama-viisaampi-mieli-vahvempi-keho
psykopodiaa-podcast
voi-hyvin-meditaatiot-2
rss-pt-paahtio
meditaatiot-suomeksi
terapiassa
rss-narsisti
rss-kuumilla-aalloilla
junnut-pelissa
fitnessvastaanotto
rss-uplevel-by-sonja-hannus
rss-rakas-mielenterveyteni
rss-kyykkya-ja-kuoharia
katilon-kahvitunti
rss-mighty-finland-podcast
rss-duodecim-lehti