Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to India Cook. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
India , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
Running has not always been a part of my life. When I started running in 2008 I knew that I wanted to run with groups to push myself outside of my comfort zone. I connected with a local run group in Atlanta and at that point, I learned that my drive and leadership were something powerful in the running space as an African American female. I never imagined running would connect me socially the way that it has. At the moment when I started to connect with my community and inspire those that wanted to get into the sport of running, I knew a business could be born, and that’s where Miles from India was birth. It came from my want to motivate others and I soon became an advocate in the sport of running for all abilities, backgrounds, paces, and body types. This drive went from passion and developed into a business of developing content in the form of vlogging, podcasting, and then becoming a certificate run coach and announcing at the state and finish line of road races. All of the avenues that I have generated are centered around motivating and inspiring those around me that run, walk, jog and move their body. I learned through the process to do something that you love and know that regardless if you help one person or a thousand, you are winning. Start now and don’t wait for the perfect time!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am India Cook, an avid Atlanta-based runner, marathoner, race announcer, YouTube vlogger, podcast host, and RRCA-certified run coach. I have a love for running and road racing, but I also have a passion for encouraging and guiding runners and those who aspire to become runners. I advocate for all paces and body types in the space of road racing. My running journey started in 2008 on the quest to lose weight and also engage in a healthy social activity. Since 2008 I have completed distances from 5K to marathons. Throughout my running journey, I observed that there were limited running resources created by women of color to help individuals get into running or resources for those already engaged in the sport. Therefore, I developed a vlog “Miles From India” on YouTube. The vlog’s purpose is to educate, inspire, and motivate runners. Viewers can find tips and how-to videos that aid in helping runners navigate running effectively. Within the running community, I also find it important to ensure diverse running experiences and stories are highlighted. In 2018, I became a podcast host of, The Run Duo Podcast, with my co-host, Tommy Mitchell. On our bi-weekly podcast, we talk all things running as we educate and entertain our listeners and also interview casually to elite runners. In addition to content creation, I am also a race announcer and event emcee. I am the amazing voice that you hear at the start and finish line of a race that motivates you to keep going and cheers you in at the finish. As a fellow runner, I find it important to feed positivity and love during all points for racing and I am your fun energetic voice that does that.
On the coaching side of the sport, I have a focus on helping ladies run confidently in any phase of their run journey, my background in mental health not only allows me to have a positive and healthy relationship with running but also enables me to help athletes build a similar relationship as well. I find it essential to make the sport of running less intimidating and relatable for all levels. My goal is to make the sport of running more diverse, inclusive, and less intimidating to my listeners and viewers. I will continue to use my training, experience, and voice to guide others in the community of running through coaching. I take the approach that everyone’s journey is unique, and we should celebrate every step, stride, and mile. I believe that running not only boosts physical health but also rejuvenates your mind and fuels confidence.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Training and knowledge allow you to be great in a discipline but experience and connections often trump it all. As a black female athlete that does not look like your traditional runner in media, I often felt that I was not good enough to spread the knowledge that I have. I am not a fast runner that is lean and being running since I was a little girl. I quickly learned that my experience, moments of overcoming obstacles, and connection with others allowed me to connect and grow in my business more than anything. being able to be transparent about my experience and talk about what I learned connects me more than ever. Not every person wants to hear the technical side of running, many times how you overcome challenges is more interesting to my followers, clients, and listeners than anything else. I learned to be transparent, show the ups and down and you will connect with who you are meant to connect with.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Reputation can be built in different ways. I found that my reputation came from being consistent, and transparent which built trustworthiness, and always being authentic. With the content that I provide people, clients have to see that the running products that I use, work and why I use them. They have to know that the process of training that I go through is effective. For my run coaching clients, they have to know why I give them particular workouts in their training block and not just give them the plan. There is a science around everything and putting all of these thongs together builds your reputation.
Contact Info:
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Image Credits
Tanya Martineau Lynsey Weatherspoon Jovelle Taymayo Paul D McPherson Jr.