Episode 169: Bri Qualizza: Pace and Purpose

<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/briquals_/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bri Qualizza</a> and I have been internet friends for quite a while, probably crossing paths at a lot of local races, but this was the first time we actually got to meet in person.</p><p>During this episode, sponsored by <a href="https://athletebouquets.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Athlete Bouquets</a>, we talk about:</p><ul><li>[2:00] Growing up a competitive dancer since age three, plus a self-described "not good" stint on her middle and high school track team</li><li>[4:00] How that dance background led to five years cheering for the Indianapolis Colts, including a calendar shoot in Mexico and missing the Super Bowl the year of Deflategate</li></ul><ul><li>[7:00] Meeting her husband, Ryan, at Howl at the Moon in downtown Indianapolis</li><li>[9:00] 15 years at Riley Children's Health — from student tech to the sedation team to earning her doctorate this year (yes, you can call her Dr. Qualizza)</li><li>[12:00] Running her first half marathon, the Indy Mini, in 2013 — and driving straight home afterward without realizing what a big deal it was</li><li>[14:00] Becoming a Geist Half Marathon ambassador and getting certified as a run coach</li><li>[15:00] Losing her first pregnancy, Charlie, at the height of the pandemic in 2020, and fighting to get Ryan into the hospital for her surgery</li></ul><ul><li>[19:00] Coaching group fitness at CycleBar to stay active postpartum, before her daughter Eva was born</li><li>[20:00] Running the 49th Indy Mini as her first race back after Eva — and the first time Ryan was able to cheer her on at the finish line</li></ul><ul><li>[25:00] Launching her own run coaching business, Pace and Purpose, after a friend asked her to help train for her first half marathon</li><li>[31:00] Training for her "redemption marathon" at Carmel — and getting sidelined by two shin stress fractures just weeks before race day</li></ul><ul><li>[39:00] Her return-to-running plan with coach Sara Farney, starting a run club at Riley Hospital, and her fall race calendar: Geist Half, Indianapolis Monumental, a Disney Princess race, and a return to Carmel</li><li>[44:00] Supporting her husband Ryan's own Boston Qualifier goal, and her go-to running song ("Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin) and mantra — "You get to"</li></ul><p><br /></p><p><strong>Previous Guests Mentioned</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas