We were lucky to catch up with Lindsay Walter recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lindsay, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

I lost all of my hair at age 2 due to autoimmune condition Alopecia. I wore a wig from a very young age and was bullied and teased a lot for it and my lack of eyebrows and eyelashes. It was very isolating and lonely growing up and not having anyone to talk to who also had Alopecia.

I discovered the sport of running after my college basketball career. Running taught me empowerment, strength and helped me to take off my wig and live my bald head out shining for the world to see. I feel the most like me when I run – a true moment I had always dreamed of. Running and my Alopecia taught me bravery and to never back down from a challenge from 50+ marathons, 100 milers and 6 day races. I started a pen pal program, Lindsay’s Little Pals for kids and teens with Alopecia and to be that person I needed when I was younger. It is my proudest finish line.

Lindsay, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

After playing college basketball I wanted to run a marathon to cross it off my bucket list. I am very internally motivated and driven. But my life changed on my first 26.2 miles. Running is me versus me. I am the one putting in the work and I love that. I really love the training and the challenge it provides from various race distances or going for a specific time. Running helped me to love, accept and embrace my Alopecia and bald head. 50+ marathons, several 100 milers (winning some of those) multiple ultras and now training for another 6 day race. Running is such a great outlet that continually inspires and motivates me.

Lindsay’s Little Pals – pen pal program for kids and teens all over the country (and world now too).

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Story from PEOPLE and The Today Show after the London Marathon last April.

https://people.com/health/london-marathoner-lindsay-walter-alopecia/

https://www.today.com/today/amp/rcna82409

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

“Girls are pretty when they have hair” this was the message told to me my entire childhood. I hid under a wig for a good 20 years because I truly believed this. It was not until my adult life that I learned through running and coming grips to my reality I never wanted to face that my hair was never coming back and I needed to take control of my Alopecia. I now know beauty is in the heart – the way you treat people and how you carry yourself and the way you respond to challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/lindsayhannah3
• Instagram: lindaayhannah3
• Facebook: Lindsay Hannah
• Twitter: lindSAYhanNAH3

Image Credits
London Marathon – I personally bought the photo and own the rights to it