Author and Ultramrathon Runner
Today’s Guest: Nita Sweeney
Information:
Nita is an author from Central Ohio.
Nita writes about mental health, running and meditation and has published several books.
She didn’t set out to be a long-distance runner.
She is a certified meditation teacher and has been meditating for 30 years.
She started running when she had those hard times because she saw a post from a friend saying that running was fun and she was interested and when she did it she started to feel fulfilled.
She ran a 5K with her sister to raise money for research for the type of cancer her nephew had passed away from.
She had a change of mentality about runners and that led her to keep training until she reached a marathon and then an ultra.
Nita ended up taking a course to run intuitively and understand how her whole body should go in one direction.
Her psychiatrist told her that running was giving her many of the chemical benefits she calls her “happy brain” and people around her began to notice changes.
This year, Nita has not run any races, only volunteered.
Nita was introduced to meditation by her husband early in their relationship.
Things we discussed:
We talked about breakfast and how for her it is the main meal, it also has a lot of emotional meaning for her because of memories of her father and she enjoys eating breakfast a lot.
We talked a bit about intermittent fasting and how breakfast is not always avoided but even though it is something she has tried she doesn’t like it.
She tells us that there are places in her life where she just wants comfort and chooses to live at her own pace.
Nita started her running journey gradually and never thought she would run in races.
In her books she wanted to give people a glimpse into the mind of someone living with chronic depression who has not been cured and still does amazing things.
Nita talks about how when you get together with people who have audacious goals, you will eventually surprise yourself because you will enjoy doing things that you thought you were never going to do.
She talks about the ability to focus your attention and your mind where you want to be.
Bridge questions:
Must-have piece of gear: For her, it’s athletic skirts with pockets.
Strangest thing she has seen: In an abandoned trail she saw a baby carriage.
The word that defines her philosophy of life: Stay.
https://www.instagram.com/nitasweeney/
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