Colleen | Mental Health Educator & Clinician

I’ve been trying to process and put into words what an experience TSP, the first SF to LV outpost, was this year. In all honesty, as many of my teammates have echoed, there really is no way to articulate what a feat this was. I learned so much about all of the beautiful souls that comprise my team, and also discovered new depths of myself that I didn’t even know existed.  I am eternally grateful for my team and this community for making me feel truly seen and appreciated. The opportunity I had in being a part of your individual journeys, plus the rollercoaster of emotions we experienced on an individual, and collective level, is not one that I take lightly. Through it all, we supported each other and made it to the other side of those 600 miles. It is an honor & privilege to call myself a part of the @milesoverbarriers squad. 2 teams, 1 dream. All to say, this TSP changed me for the better. My team has changed me for the better and this is forever a part of my soul (with a piece of it out in powerlines 🥲). And I have been changed, for good 🎶 Made myself cry again 🥹 && shoutout to y’alls who were at home tracking our locations, watching our stories, texting and checking in on us. We wouldn’t have gotten through it without your love & support, so thank you 🥹🙏🏼 With Luck & love 🤞🏼🖤 🤏🏼 📸 & 🎥creds: @_agmendoza @carlaagaby @frank.oven @frankdotfilm @sramii @nash.howe @arisvphoto @conolulu

LA Marathon DONE ☑️ WOO!! 🥳 So, I chose to run LAM as my 1st full marathon bc 1) LA is home 💙💛💜 2) everyone says the vibes are unmatched And they are correct ✅ I went into race wknd experiencing a wide spectrum of emotions, prob consuming too many electrolytes, and also, hoping🤞🏼that the forecast would change last min from 89 to 79 degrees. I was also spiraling bc I strained my left soleus from a long run 2 wks prior and hadn’t been able to run for over a week (but s/o to @move.simply for getting me right before race day!). After the shakeout run w/ @banditrunning , I realized worrying was wasted energy and instead, I should focus on being present to enjoy the vibes regardless of the outcome. Race day came, and the LA crowds showed out! It was hot HOT 🥵, but hydration + the crowds kept me goin! At mile 20 I was felt GREAT (minus the lack of porta potties the last like 10k of the race 😪). That LA 🌞 did a number on my now sunburnt back lol. BUT, despite all of that I DID IT!!  I really wouldn’t have been able to get to the finish line 🏁 without the support of my wonderful friends &the beautiful running community🫶🏼🥹. The texts &dms full of encouragement really kept me going nd brought me to happy tears 🥹🥲 SO THANK YOU 🙏🏼🙏🏼 S\o to: •Wendy & Daisy for all the 🚽 stops, the 🎉 pacing, and the sharing of ice cubes 🧊 • Chris & Aady for giving us the extra boost of energy &support we needed at mile 19 + the spritz 💦 🔫  • Sabrina & Sharon for taking time out of your weekend to come cheer me on, support me in the HEAT, AND staying after I finished. AND to @_atom for watching bb RoRo so mama Sharon could come cheer me on 🥹 • The rest of the housemates & friends racing for the support + carrying our stuff 🫶🏼: Carlos, Jear, Anh, Aris, Hoang, Mia, & Ryan 💛💛 See y’all at the next full mary 🤪🙃

On the outside, I don’t see much of a difference from when I was struggling with severe anxiety vs. when I had little to none. People close to me couldn’t really see it either. It didn’t matter where I was or who I was with. Even when I was traveling and eating amazing food, or spending time with my closest friends, internally I felt so much uneasiness and dread. There’s a reason they say mental health disorders are invisible illnesses. Just because we see someone laughing, hanging out with friends, traveling, getting a promotion, etc. doesn’t necessarily mean internally they aren’t struggling. I’m seriously so grateful to be surrounded by amazing people in my life because I don’t know that I would be where I am now. I’m lucky that I have people who were willing to listen to me without judgment and also support me when I was at my worst. I still have my days, just like we all do, but now I’m not afraid to open up about my struggles and have learned to have more grace with myself. Don’t let what you see on the outside or even on social media deceive you into thinking everything is ok. Sometimes just reaching out to say hi or letting someone know you’re thinking about them could really turn their frown upside down 🙃😊 Comment below if you get it . . . . . #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthinvisibleillness #gratitude #mentalhealtheducation #invisibleillnessawareness

The end of TSP 🥲 + after party tings w/everyone 🖤🫶🏼💚

Got TSP film developed in a timely manner bc I really wanted to see the photos. Seeing my photos only made me wish I had taken more 🥹 🖤🖤🖤

There’s a point where everything in you says stop. Not because you’re done but because it’s hard. That’s where most people check out. That’s where they turn around. That’s where they settle. That point isn’t the end. If you can push past it, (even just a little) that’s where things start to separate. @milesoverbarriers @thespeedproject 📸 Thumbnail Cover: @frank.oven @frankdotfilm

March was here for a good time, but unfortunately, not a long time 🥹🙂‍↔️ These deserve a permanent spot on the feed 💖 (& I had to post before I flood y’alls feed w/TSP posts) Photo 📸 creds: @currychristy 💚 @sramii @conolulu

“I am a runner.” —@carlaagaby . . . MOB Originals was 1 of the 2 teams we sent to take on TSP LALV SF OUTPOST 2026. It was named Originals to echo our original mission during LALV 2025: taking up space for people like us and running for completion.

Last summer, I had the honor &privilege to witness my best friend’s intimate wedding ceremony 💖 I am so happy she found someone who sees and fully appreciates her and the amazing human that she is. The photos are just too beautiful to not share 😍

Another year older, maybe a little wiser? Here’s to another year of surrounding myself w/the best people who help me thrive in the roughest of conditions. More saying ‘yes’ to things that feel scary bc I am capable of anything I put my mind to, more cuddles w/Enzo, more time in nature, and multiple full marathons? Jk on the marathon part 🤪 Thank you everyone for the birthday love! Definitely felt it & so very grateful for it 🥹🫶🏼 Some bday pics & just some 💎s from the past year😌

It’s officially SAD girl season, y’all 🍂🍃🍁 Instead of fighting it, I decided to embrace the transition (bc also, ♏️ season 🙂‍↕️). Some of my key practices that help maintain my sanity (for the most part) during this time of year: 📔 Write down daily gratitudes (I miss some days sometimes 😅) 💧 Stay Hydrated & take my vitamins 💊 🚶🏻‍♀️‍➡️🏋🏻‍♀️Movement - tbh lately, it’s an everyday struggle for me. BUT, I definitely notice a diff in my mood when I get some exercise in 🙂 ☀️ Get daily sun/daylight exposure- I use my 💡 therapy lamp in the fall &winter bc of the daylight shift. It helps w/ wake-ups in the AM && prevents me from gettin’ a little too depressy 😌 🌲 🌳 Soak in some nature - if you got a fur bb 🐶, take them w/you 🫶🏼 👯Spend time w/your friends& loved ones - and get that sweet treat 🧋 🍨 bc you deserve it 🙂‍↕️ 🍜 Eat all the soups - I just love soups and they bring warmth to my cold soul 🙃😊 #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #healthandwellness

We came, we saw, chased waterfalls, & picked some 🍎s in GORGEous Oregon. See you same time next year🙂‍↕️🫶🏼 #trailrace #roguegorge #daybreakracing #tierralibre