69 - Mirna Valerio is Not a Liar and a Fraud

Meet Mirna Valerio - the Mirnavator. Mirna stepped from relative obscurity into the national spotlight when she so brazenly announced as a 200 pound black woman that she was going to do an ultramarathon. This shouldn't be a big deal, but it was. Mirna stoked emotions within all of the different movements that are currently growing, most of which are in support of her efforts and tout her as an inspiration to people everywhere who don't think they can change their lives. In the past year, Mirna has written her first book called "A Beautiful Work in Progress," appeared in numerous national media outlets and campaigns including Skirt Sports, Women's Running Magazine, Buzzfeed, Lane Bryant's recent campaign, REI's Forces of Nature series, and more. This is an episode that features someone who many people will look to for inspiration with the thought that, "If she can do it, so can I." Instead of taking offense, Mirna opens her arms and acknowledges that we all need to start somewhere. The key is to start. As she says, "Remain open to failure. Be prepared for adventure." I personally love this outlook. I also want all of us to be able to say "I'm in the prime of my life right now. The world is my oyster." We can all have some of what Mirna's having. We just need to accept that we are all beautiful works in progress!