Mile Marker Matriarch
Welcome to Mile Marker Matriarch -- the running podcast for women who lace up for purpose over pace. Hosted by Stacy, marathoner, Road Runners of America (RRCA) certified running coach, NASM CPT & CNC, and a mother with a passion of healing through movement, this show explores the intersection of running, wellness, and real life and is dedicated to empowering women runners of all levels!
Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just lacing up your shoes for the first time, our conversations will inspire you to embrace your journey, nurture your mind and body, and connect with your inner strength.
Join us each week as we dive into the heart of running, exploring the unique challenges and triumphs that women face on the road, tread, and trails. With a blend of expert advice, practical tips, and heartfelt stories from real women in the running community, we cover everything from training strategies and injury prevention to mental wellness and self-care. Tune in for topics like:
*Running and recovery
*Yoga and strength training for runners
*Mental resilience and emotional healing
*Nutrition, mindset, and self-care
*Navigating life transitions with grit and grace
Subscribe now and join a great community of women who will lift you up and cheer you along every step in your journey.
Mile Marker Matriarch
What Makes You a Real Runner? The Truth About Belonging, Identity, and Who Gets to Decide
Have you ever wondered if you’re a real runner?
If you’ve ever felt too slow, too old, too new, too inconsistent, too imperfect to claim the title… this episode is for you.
This week, Stacy Cacciatore — founder of Mile Marker Matriarch and creator of the Running Rhetorics framework — breaks open one of the most toxic myths in running culture: the belief that only a certain kind of runner “counts.”
The spark? A shocking story from the Disney Princess Half Marathon, where a male runner bragged about racking up “kills” by passing slower women. Elitism. Ego. Entitlement. And the ripple effects that say you don’t belong here.
But this episode isn’t just about running.
It’s about identity, agency, and who gets permission to take up space — on the course and in your life.
Stacy shares:
✨ The hidden history of women being pushed out of the sport
✨ Why the “real runner” myth still harms women today
✨ The moment she witnessed a grandmother runner get knocked down — literally — by someone who thought he deserved the road more
✨ How running mirrors society’s power structures
✨ And the radical reframe every woman needs to hear:
If you run, you are a real runner.
Whether you’re running loops during your kid’s soccer practice, building miles at 4 a.m., training through fear, grief, or self-doubt, or standing in the back corral wondering if you belong — this episode will meet you where you are.
You’ll walk away with:
💛 A mantra to carry on your next run
💛 A mindset shift to silence your inner critic
💛 A call to build a running community grounded in belonging, not competition
💛 And a reminder you may not hear enough:
You deserve to take up space. On the course. And in your life.
If this episode makes you feel seen, send it to a woman who needs that same reminder.
Let’s redefine what a real runner looks like — together.
Let's connect!
Instagram: @milemarkermatriarch
TikTok: @milemarkermatriarch
YouTube: @stacycacciatore
Lemon8: @milemarkermatriarch
https://milemarkermatriarchpodcast.com
Email the show at milemarkermatriarch@gmail.com