Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stephanie Morales. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Stephanie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

I learned, how important it is to put yourself first. Your own physical and mental health, because if you do not then you are no good to yourself, your job or to your family. I have always been very work dedicated to an extreme, taking work home with me. Answering calls at any hour of the night or working on my laptop on projects and or correcting peoples mistakes. One job let me go after I asked for a day off for being burnt out. You would think I learned from that but I did not. My next job were I moved up the ladder quickly, also burnt me out. When Covid came around, I was hit bad along with my co workers but I was the manager and the lucky one to still have to work while sick. I was crying I was in so much pain, but there I was logging in on my laptop as I was quarantined. I worked day and night while sick, covering for others that were out with Covid. After I was negative, without missing a beat I was back in the office. Covid did not slow down the industry I worked in, we still had to ship things out. I would work late and I had an hour commute to and from. I did not take days off and my body was feeling burnt out. I had to make the decision to look for something closer to home. I did find a job closer to home but the stress was worse, which is the cliche that the grass is not always greener on the other side came in. I then looked for another job and finally I was at peace for once in my career. It gave me time to reflect and learn from my experiences. I learned how to balance my professional life and personal life. In my current position, I make sure to let my team know that they do need to take time off for them. Its ok to take days off and to call out sick when you are not feeling good. Work will always be there and the company will still be standing, with or without us. Happy Employees will always function better too.

Long Story not so short, this is where I started dedicating more time to me and the sport I now have a love hate relationship with.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Professional wise, I had to “adult” faster than usual. I was young and just working for a check. Who would have known that I would grow to love the shipping logistics industry. I am 20 years in and have worked my way to management. Being a woman, I have ran into so many obstacles but I have learned a lot from those obstacles. Yes they knocked me down but I shook it off and I would come back strong.

In my health journey, I have the same mentality. In the sense that I will not quit! It is not easy, especially when the battle is with yourself. I have friends who motivate me to not quit, to keep going. I post my workouts and runs in the hopes that it motivates someone else. I am no one special, no famous influencer, I am just that friend who will be there to run or workout with you. That friends whos post might motivate you, to also get that workout or run in. I love when I see my friends in person and they say how much my post have helped them. I want to motivate that one person who wants to start a health journey but they are scared or nervous. To motivate that future runner who is worried that they are too slow… Guess what?! I am slow and that does not stop me! I tell them that I will be back there with them, I tell them that they might pass me! I post my pace and share my runs, no matter how slow I am. I am that example that you can enjoy daily runs, enjoy race day and just be you. I also share when I doubt myself, because I am not perfect and its normal to have bad days. But I am surrounded by great friends, supportive coaches, running groups and family.

You know what’s a great feeling, its to hear a friend of mine say that they are going to go for it. They are going to sign up for a race. That it was because of me that they signed up. I also get asked if I will be at specific races, if so then they will be there too. They like to know that another sexy pace runner will be there. We like to say that the party is in the back anyways.

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

I like to share my story with new runners to help motivate them, even though I still feel like a new runner with only over a year in the journey. But if I do not share my story, my friends do and proudly. My journey started Oct/Sept 2022 when I was invited for a Sunday run. In which I was dying. But it was nice and I would return on Sundays when I could. In Nov 2022, I ran my first 5k race Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. Shortly after that I ran a half marathon in Feb 2023. Then after an “easy” 10 miles with some friends in early March 2023, I was convinced that I could run the LA Marathon. And yes I signed up and a week later I ran LA Marathon. I explain to everyone that I walked a lot, I ran when I could but it was always my pace. Since then I have ran many races of all distance.

Mt Baldy 5k in July 2023 was difficult and I wanted to quit before the first mile. It was a steep hill and I hit the wall mentally, I wanted to turn back. But with the help of my friends motivating me I got to the top of that first hill which was the hardest part. I cried at the first aid station, I do not even understand why the tears but I shook it off, we continued the race and finished. Joshua Tree half marathon Nov 2023 was difficult but the night skies were beautiful. You would run as you listen to coyotes howl at a distance. Guadalajara half marathon Feb 2024 was my first international half. The elevation and strong sun was an obstacle in itself. I was definitely over thinking it the day before but I finished it. It was nice to see how another country organizes the races and all I have to say. Is that LA needs to step up their game! The most difficult was Avalon 50k, my first ultra marathon. The views were breath taking, well the hills were too. But that was an experience that really showed me that I am capable of anything. I do tend to sign up for races when I am on that runners high. And my heart is in it for sure, I feel like I have completed many things in such a short amount. But because my heart is in it.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I do not have a large following but I think sharing your local running groups, coaches, gyms helps get the word out. It doesn’t matter if its not from your neighborhood. Maybe one of your followers will benefit knowing the information. I know some of my followers have benefited from knowing runs that certain groups have throughout the week. Supporting small businesses, coaches is always a great way to help build your audience and help others build theirs.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ladyinred_83
• Linkedin: Stephanie Morales