We recently connected with Paul Stroessner and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Paul, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is ‘Journey of the Rhode Runner’. While my first project, ‘Return to the ’80s’, rekindled my passion for writing and launched my first podcast, Journey of the Rhode Runner became something much bigger—it gave my running a purpose beyond personal goals. Through this project, I bring attention to charities, using my travels and races to highlight causes that matter. It has also allowed me to connect with people in different parts of the country, experiencing communities I might not have otherwise visited. This journey then led to Inspiring Journeys, which evolved into GenX Journeys, where I now focus on stories of resilience, reinvention, and nostalgia. Looking back, every project built on the last, but Journey of the Rhode Runner is where I truly found a way to merge my passions for running, storytelling, and making a difference.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I wrote my first short story when I was 10 years old, and I had so much fun with it. I would write stories that included my friends as characters, creating adventures that made us laugh and fueled my imagination. But by the time I reached high school, I had stopped writing. Looking back, I now realize I was struggling with depression in junior high school, and over time, I slowly gave up on the creative spark that once fueled me. Writing faded into the background until I completely lost it.

Then, running entered my life when I got into high school. Up until that point, the only sport I had ever played was baseball in the spring, so I had nothing to keep me active in the fall. My cousin had joined the cross-country team. It sounded interesting, so I gave it a shot. Although I was a middle-of-the-packer, I enjoyed it very much. It was refreshing running outdoors in nature. I was persistent during my time there, and in my senior year, I was named the team captain.

After high school, I joined the Navy, where I traveled the world and had my first introduction to personal development as an Amway distributor. I immersed myself in books like How to Win Friends and Influence People and Think and Grow Rich, and I listened to motivational speakers. But once I left the Navy, I lost touch with that world, just as I had with writing and running.

For years, I worked as a computer programmer for a medical software company—despite my true passions lying in storytelling, history, and creativity. Then, in 2010, something changed. I launched Return to the ’80s, a blog celebrating GenX nostalgia. Suddenly, I was writing again. In 2013, with the help of my personal trainer, Adriana, I rediscovered running. And in 2019, I realized I could no longer suppress my passion for storytelling—I went back to school and earned a Master’s in Creative Writing.

Looking back, I see now that I had been planting seeds all along. The discipline of running, the love of storytelling, the lessons from personal development, and even my travels in the Navy—all of it was leading me here. Today, all those passions have merged into GenX Journeys, my podcast and platform dedicated to helping people rediscover, reinvent, and thrive. Through my podcast, I share stories of resilience, reinvention, and nostalgia, proving that no matter where life has taken you, it’s never too late to rewrite your story.

I am most proud of how all these elements have come together—not just for me, but for the people I connect with. Whether it’s through my running journey (Journey of the Rhode Runner), my deep dive into GenX culture (Return to the ’80s), or my conversations on GenX Journeys, my mission is to inspire others to embrace their own unique path. Because sometimes, the things we thought we lost were just waiting for the right moment to return.

But if I had to pinpoint one thing I’m most proud of, it’s my resilience. Within my first year back to running, I suffered a severe ankle injury. Then I fractured my shoulder socket. But instead of giving up, I kept going. I even attempted a marathon. And I emphasize the word ‘attempted’—I wasn’t able to finish because I missed the time cutoff at mile 20. But I’ve learned that setbacks don’t define me—my persistence does. Just like I came back stronger from my injuries, I know I will cross that marathon finish line. And this resilience carries over into every aspect of my life. I taught myself how to podcast. I earned my Master’s degree while the world was navigating a pandemic. No matter the challenge, I’ve learned that persistence, passion, and purpose always win in the end.

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

In December 2013, after completing my first 5K race in 25 years, my trainer introduced me to obstacle course racing. She said it was a blast and encouraged me to train for an upcoming race in May. It sounded different and challenging, so I signed up for an eight-week training course to prepare.

The race took place on May 17, 2014. The night before, torrential downpours soaked the course, turning an already muddy race into a complete mess. Pools of water formed where there shouldn’t have been any. But the race went on.

We ran through trails before reaching our first obstacle, and I felt a wave of nostalgia for my cross-country days. I loved it. Our team of seven or eight stuck together, encouraging each other and helping teammates over obstacles.

Then, about a mile and a half in, I faced the obstacle that would change everything.

A row of barrels stretched across a pool of water. The goal was to leap from one to the next without falling in. I had seen pictures of this and figured I’d just run across. Simple, right? Not quite. The barrels were farther apart than I expected, forcing me to jump with precision. I somehow made it across—until the last barrel.

I leaped off, landing in the murky water—right onto a hidden rock. My foot twisted violently, rolling farther than it should have. The pain shot through me immediately. As I scrambled up the next dirt hill, I knew my ankle was in bad shape.

At the top, my trainer was waiting. When I told her I had badly sprained my ankle, she asked if I could keep going. Now, let me be clear—I do not recommend this to anyone. But I pushed forward.

For the rest of the race, I was barely running—more like side-shuffling through the thick mud, trying to avoid rocks. At times, my foot would sink, and pulling it free sent sharp pain through my ankle. I had to skip some obstacles, but I refused to quit.

One of the toughest challenges was a massive rope net climb. As I struggled upward, the net shook wildly from other racers speeding past me. My arms burned from rope burns, my shoulder strained, and lifting my foot became nearly impossible. At the top—several stories high—I was tempted to just jump off. But I knew that would be a terrible idea for both me and the racers below. So, I forced myself to climb down, step by agonizing step.

Finally, I reached the last obstacle—a massive water crossing. For the first time since my injury, I felt relief. Swimming didn’t require me to put weight on my ankle, so I powered through it, finally crossing the finish line.

The cheers from my team made every moment of pain worth it.

Afterward, a trip to the emergency room confirmed a severe sprain. Recovery took a couple of months, but once I healed, I was back in the gym. A few months after that, I was running races again.

That experience taught me something crucial: if I could finish an obstacle course race on a badly injured ankle, I could do anything. That mindset didn’t just apply to running—it became a philosophy for life. Every challenge I’ve faced since then, I’ve approached with the same resilience, knowing that persistence, even in the toughest moments, will get me to the finish line.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

At the heart of GenX Journeys is a simple but powerful mission: to bring light into a world that too often focuses on negativity. Life is filled with challenges, transitions, and moments of doubt—but it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, chase a dream, or reignite a passion that’s been dormant for years.

Through storytelling, nostalgia, and real conversations, I want to inspire people—especially those in Generation X—to embrace new possibilities, stay resilient, and create the next chapter of their lives with purpose. Whether it’s through my podcast, writing, or community engagement, my goal is to remind people that their best days aren’t behind them. As a matter of fact, they are just getting started! They have the power to grow, evolve, and achieve something incredible—starting today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://genxjourneys.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genxjourneys
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenXJourneys
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-stroessner-jr-mfa/
• Twitter: https://x.com/returntothe80s
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GenXJourneys
• Other: My personal Instagram account which also tracks my running journey:
  https://www.instagram.com/therhoderunner