🎙️ SHOW NOTES
Ep. 285 – Community Matters : Nonconformity
New episode every week | Upward Running Podcast — where faith fuels your fitness journey. Hosted by Dean Thompson with Upward Director Mitchell Hollis.
In This Episode
- Community over everything: Why “there’s more than running going on here” — stories that show how real, in-person community forms and sustains believers and runners.
- Dean’s track day + a “little Jesus” on the door handle: a timely reminder when a workout goes sideways.
- Post of the Week: Kimberly Slate kicks off the 40/40 challenge — slowing down, noticing God’s creation, and starting the day with gratitude.
- Run of the Week: Team Bryant’s sunrise miles & hydration experiments (LMNT sampler). Affordable alternatives, pink salt, Liquid I.V., and watching supplement quality.
- Nick Bare’s testimony: coming to faith, transparency in formulas, and caution around unregulated supplements.
- History break: The rise of 1800s “pedestrianism” — 100–1000 mile walking feats and packed grandstands.
- Gear & super-shoe chatter: Adidas leading majors this year; Nike, ASICS, On also in the mix.
- Community story by Rebecca Wang: course-marshal kindness, staying with the last runner, and how a group became family.
- Faith & community: from Genesis to Jesus to the early church — why face-to-face matters more than feeds.
- AI isn’t community: why digital “relationships” can’t replace embodied fellowship.
- Scripture focus: 1 Corinthians 12 (gifts for the common good), James 2 (faith & works), Hebrews 10 (don’t neglect meeting together).
- Brick workouts 101: for triathletes and runners — swim→bike, bike→run mechanics, why short transition runs help.
- Dean’s Thoughts: “Nonconformity” — when to follow training standards and when to do hard, uncommon things (like running in rain/cold) to grow.
- News & notes: jorts triathlete, Diamond League finals, who can punch tickets to Worlds, and a satire laugh from DumbRunner.
- Reason to Run/Walk: it keeps your brain engaged — problem-solving in training and beyond.
- Challenges & invites: Bible-in-a-Year (members), Couch to Marathon (Cannonball), and leading/joining a 5K Challenge group.
Highlights
- “Everybody needs a little Jesus” — a tiny figurine, big encouragement on a rough day.
- Hydration on a budget: pink salt in water, Liquid I.V., and being label-wise with supplements.
- Community is biblical: created from community (Triune God), called into community (church), and strengthened by community (Acts/epistles).
- Faith + fitness: let others use their gifts to serve you — don’t rob your friends of the “opportunity.”
- Do hard things: rain runs, cold miles, disciplined flexibility in training — nonconformity with purpose.
- Quote: Tom Hanks — “It’s supposed to be hard. The hard is what makes it great.”
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works… and let us not neglect our meeting together… but encourage one another.” — Hebrews 10:24–25
Scripture & Motivation
- 1 Corinthians 12:7 — Spiritual gifts for the common good (every part matters).
- James 2:17–18 — Faith is shown by works.
- Hebrews 10:24–25 — Don’t neglect gathering; encourage one another.
- Romans 12:2 — Do not conform to the world; be transformed.
Segment Notes
- Brick Workouts (What Does That Even Mean?): typically a tri term (swim→bike or bike→run). Short transition runs teach your body to run on “bike legs,” refine cadence, and manage effort. Some athletes need them often; others adapt quickly.
- Trivia: Fastest verified run across the U.S. — email your guess to dean@upward.org. First Upward member with the correct answer wins $20 off in the store.
- Jorts Tri Story: bet lost, Daisy Dukes worn, still crushed — joy + grit > gear.
Calls to Action
- Join Couch to Marathon: Cannonball cohort kicks off end of September — walkers and runners welcome.
- Lead or join a 5K Challenge: like Rebecca’s group — start where you are, finish together.
- Bible-in-a-Year (Members): daily audio through all Scripture, with tips and encouragement.
Links & Resources
- UpwardRunning.com — membership, training plans, RunClub App
- Become a RunCoach — bring Upward Running to your church
- Peace with God — the most important thing