Unstoppable Strides: Navigating Runner's Dystonia
Join Julie and JoJo for information, exploration, stories of hope and real talk related to running with dystonia.
Runner’s dystonia is a type of repetitive exercise dystonia that is brought on by running. Some are affected by walking and cycling as well.
Dystonias are a class of movement disorders marked by involuntary muscle contractions in one or more parts of the body, depending on the type of dystonia.
Runner’s dystonia is considered task-specific, which means that it only occurs when doing a repetitive motion—in this case, the repetitive nature of the running gait cycle.
Give us a listen if you'd like to learn more.
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You can email us here if you're interested in collaborating or contributing - runnersdystonia@gmail.com
Episodes
19 episodes
Chris Phelan shares his long history with dystonia, botox and dbs
Distinguished athlete Chris Phelan talks openly about his dystonia story and diagnosis. Chris has been affected for more than 10 years and has had multiple rounds of botox and dbs (deep brain stimulation). While Chris is not "cured" of dystonia...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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45:30
Lilibet Kyte shares her MS story
This episode takes a different twist as I talk with Lilibet Kyte who, at age 36, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We talk about treatments, her diagnosis, her team and a host of other things in this insightful episode. Key message - ...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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38:44
Casandra Oldham on moving forward
Casandra Oldham has had success in her running career that was never intended to be a running career! She shares her knowledge of neurodiverse brains and how thinking outside of the dystonia "box" might be helping through nutrition, functional ...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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39:43
Kara Goucher shares her Dystonia Story
Julie, JoJo and special guest host Karrie Hamstra-Wright chat with wife, mother, NBC Track and Field Broadcaster, author, World T&F Silver medalist and 2-Time Olympian Kara Goucher. Kara shares her dystonia history, diagnosis, c...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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47:09
Megan Cohea Physical Therapist Tells Her Dystonia Story
Julie sits down with Megan Cohea, a physical therapist living on the East Coast. Megan has Runner's Dystonia and shares her journey, symptoms and recommendations in this conversation. Apologies for the audio issues at the beginning of the recor...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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30:51
Lessons in Hope, Healing and Health with Karrie Hamstra-Wright
JoJo and Julie sit down with Karrie Hamstra-Wright, Clinical Professor and Co-Director of the Applied Sports Psychology and Injury Research and Education (ASPIRE) Lab in the Department of Kinesiology an...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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42:48
Randy Morton - A Vision of Hope
In this episode, JoJo and Julie talk with Runner, turned cyclist, Randy Morton about his dystonia journey through medical in-attention, gaslighting and athletic career. Randy is resilience personified. Give it a listen and we welcome your comme...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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50:31
The Default Mode Network - Psychadelics and Breathwork
Default Mode Network (dmn) discussion on how to down regulate, how it might be a factor with Dystonia. What things we have tried help to down regulate the DMN. Includes references to breathwork, meditation and psilocybin.
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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43:37
Episode 11 with Kirsten Jackson - on DBS
We talk with Australian runner Kirsten Jackson on her progress with dystonia and DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation). Kirsten had the implant in February of 2025 and considers herself cured from dystonia with this device. Listen to this intriguing tal...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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35:57
Episode 10 with Roberta Reardon
On this episode, Julie talks with long-time dystonic runner, Roberta Reardon. We discuss modalities that are non-drug as well as how the issues first began. Roberta shares some key insights into how her recovery has progressed to the point of f...
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35:30
Episode 9 - a Conversation with newly diagnosed Shannon Webb
In this episode, we talk with Shannon Webb, a newly diagnosed runner with dystonia. She shares what she has tried, where she is in her progress and what she hopes to have happen in the future. Here is a link to the Univer...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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33:29
A conversation with "Dystonic Runner" Victoria Upson
Julie and JoJo are joined by Victoria Upson in this episode to hear her journey with running and Runner's Dystonia. Victoria shares a lot about her symptoms and how her persistence have allowed her to move forward in positive ways. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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40:07
Re+active PT with Bree Williamson
Julie and Joelle sit down with Bree Williamson to learn about her experience with Re+active PT. This is to share information and not to recommend any particular programs. If you are interested, the website for R
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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38:12
Episode 6 - PRI Chat with Maria Winters
Ih this episode, Julie and JoJo chat with fellow Dystonic runner Maria Winters. Maria has successfully used the principles from the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) to enhance her healing progress. She shares how symptoms first exhibited, w...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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39:22
Episode 5 - Dealing with Comments and Questions
Julie and JoJo discuss how they have managed comments, questions and reactions from other people. If you have comments or questions, we would love to hear.
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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34:57
The Farias - Dystonia Recovery Program
In this episode, we do a deep dive into the Farias Dystonia Recovery Program. Benefits, Drawbacks, Cost, etc. The Dystonia Recovery Program (DRP) is an online platform tailored for individuals with various forms of Dystonia, includ...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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31:33
Focal Dystonia in Cyclists
In this episode we talk with cyclist Chris Melia about her presentation of Focal Dystonia. Chris is a former runner and now a cyclist who recognized the signs of dystonia in 2021. She relates to us how it presented and how she detected it. Sinc...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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39:58
Episode 2: What we've tried, what is working, what didn't
In this episode, JoJo and Julie review all of the treatments tired for dystonia, explaining what seems to be working and what didn't work. It's a long list and NOT comprehensive by any means. Keep in mind that this is based on our own needs, to...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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48:06
Episode 1 - Intentions, Introductions and Why We are Here
In this episode, JoJo and Julie describe our intentions for this show and give background information on what is know as Runner's Dystonia, how it presents and why it is so hard to diagnose, much less understand. We briefly share our own person...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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44:56