Inspire to Run Podcast

Achieve Confidence and Success with Big Goals with Kristine Pavelchak

• Kristine Pavelchak • Season 2 • Episode 121

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#121 - In this episode, we sit down with Kristine Pavelchak, a DEKA FIT age group world champion and a dedicated hybrid athlete, as she shares her incredible journey of setting ambitious goals and transforming her life through resilience and purpose. Kristine opens up about how embracing big goals and celebrating small wins led her to new heights in fitness and self-confidence. 

You will learn about the power of structured goal-setting, the value of authentic growth, and how these principles apply to all aspects of life. Whether starting, aiming for a new fitness goal, or just seeking motivation, Kristine’s insights will empower you to find joy and purpose in every step of your journey.


Topics Covered:

  • Discover how setting big goals and celebrating small wins drives personal growth
  • Find inspiration to overcome setbacks with a positive, resilient mindset
  • See how embracing challenges authentically can bring joy and meaning to your journey
  • Learn practical nutrition tips for a balanced and lasting fitness journey


Today’s Guest

Kristine Pavelchak

Kristine is a mom of 2, a hybrid athlete, a 2023 DekaFit AG World Champ, a Spin instructor, and a Certified Personal Trainer. Building confidence by setting intention and big goals.


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Speaker 1:

Hey, my friend, are you stuck in a rut with your health and fitness, or maybe even in your professional career? Well, I know today's conversation is going to inspire you to find that next step in your journey with insightful tips to show you how Hope you enjoy.

Speaker 2:

Welcome to Inspire to Run podcast. Here you will find inspiration, whether you are looking to take control of your health and fitness or you are a seasoned runner looking for community and some extra motivation. You will hear inspiring stories from amazing runners, along with helpful tips from fitness experts. Now here is your host, richard Koner.

Speaker 1:

Hi, my friend, Welcome to Inspire to Run podcast. I have the pleasure of sitting down with Christine Pawelczyk today. She is a mom of two hybrid athlete, 2023 DECA Fit age group world champion, spin instructor and certified personal trainer, and I have to tell you so so much more. So I'm excited to have this conversation with her, so excited to have you here on the show, christine.

Speaker 3:

Thank you for having me First time on a podcast. Super excited to be here.

Speaker 1:

Well, excited to have you as well, and you know the topic here is super important. I'm excited to talk about it. We're going to talk about building confidence by setting intention and big goals, and Chrissy has such a wonderful story about setting big goals early in her life and how that's kind of brought her to where she is today, which is world champion for DECA. So, chrissy, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself and kind of how you got started with these big goals?

Speaker 3:

So a little bit about myself. When I was young I was always referred to as Speedy Gonzalez in my house. My mother called me that all the time. I was always moving, super active. So I did a lot of activity when I was a kid. Never was sitting around or sedentary. And then, as I progressed through middle school and high school, I was doing sports. I was a gymnast for a long time.

Speaker 3:

Then I was a swimmer diver and really focused in on swimming, became an endurance athlete, then went to college and needed to find something to continue to do for a lifestyle. So I picked up running. I had never even ran a mile in high school during the test the test for the state I would be the girl hiding in the bushes. So at 19 years old I decided when I was at UConn to pick up running as something that I can continue doing fitness independently and feel connected to. You know that activity I always created and I had always had this.

Speaker 3:

I remember this picture of my uncle growing up. He had ran the New York City Marathon and when I was younger you know when you're really little it was on the wall, sort of low, this picture of him crossing the finish line, so it was like eye level for many years of my life. I always thought that was a huge achievement and so when I graduated college I decided I felt a little lost. I needed a big goal to have to work toward. I'd never ran a road race before in my life and I said I set out to plan for my first year to train. So I did a four month training plan. I looked it up online and you know I really used my uncle as inspiration and you know, and I thought it was a really good time in my life being 22.

Speaker 3:

At that point I felt like I needed to find myself a little bit but a little, I guess, lost, leaving college, not knowing what. You know. I had a full time job starting and stuff, but I didn't want to go to work and become someone who was inactive in life. I needed. I was always focused on like how do I keep this in life? So I found running and I surprised myself that I was able to stay so disciplined through those four months of training and I did see the finish line and it was very hard, but I guess having that big goal was like a really big and it meant a lot for me.

Speaker 1:

That's incredible, and I love how you had a role model, someone who you looked up to and had done something. You're like, wow, that's really great that you've done that in your life. And I love how you had a role model, someone who you looked up to and had done something. You're like, wow, that's really great that you've done that in your life and that inspired you to do you know a lot of what you're doing, so I'd love to hear that.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, yeah, my uncle. It's a success story. He's done a lot of. That was one of them that I'll never forget.

Speaker 1:

That's great. So, you know, let's talk a little bit more about the big goal, because, you know, folks don't normally roll out of bed and say, hey, I just want to run a marathon. Some do. We've had some on the show and maybe they will kind of roll out of bed right into the marathon. But you had a plan, you had, you know, your four months of training. So let's talk a little bit about that and then kind of what happened next after the marathon.

Speaker 3:

Yeah. So, like I said, being involved in swimming and gymnastics, I remember being under, you know, coaching and having structure. So I knew that I can't go alone with yeah, I did find some area running clubs but maybe sometimes it didn't work where I could meet up with them to run, so I couldn't rely on, I needed to rely on having, you know, a calendar of sorts to and what do I need to do, what's the recipe for success? So I looked up online and I think I picked it was a hell Higdon. You know success. So I looked up online and I think I picked it was a Hal Higdon. You know, novice, I think 12 week, yeah, four month program and I just checked boxes off. I love that feeling of you know I did what I need to do today and that just fills my cup in so many ways and it helped me be successful for many other things, like that lead diamond. So it poured into other areas of my life, you know, into my career.

Speaker 3:

I started to get, you know, really moving along pretty well right out of college. I was working at ING and it kind of became who I am. You know people knew at work that I am driven. You know I'm not only just doing what I need to do in my nine to five, but doing other things outside. So I basically want to say that the most important thing was to find a plan that suited me well, and I looked online for the two people that are, like you know, the hallmarks of marathon running Hal Higdon and Jeff Galloway.

Speaker 3:

I believe I picked the Hal Higdon program and you know I just followed the recipe. So there were days that there were bumps in the road that you know I didn't feel so great, or you know I had to maybe move because of work, travel or something like that. But and I also didn't, you know, fault myself for maybe having a bad run, or also, knowing I'm really busy this week, I didn't try to like make up miles that say I had to miss or something. So I think that's really important to give yourself some grace. Obviously, if you're really consistent, you know plan's going to work.

Speaker 3:

So, we're never going to be.

Speaker 1:

So let's talk a little bit about the confidence part, right? So we talked about building confidence by building these big goals and you know, if I think back to my own story, just a few years ago I started with obstacle course racing as a way to do things I've never done before, do things that you know really scared me, you know, fitness wise. So I feel like in other aspects of my life I, you know, okay, confidence, but when it came to fitness I was never the fastest, I was kind of middle of the pack. I was always thinking I can't, I can't, I can't, especially a lot of sports. So that was an opportunity for me to do things that I've never done before. So you know, I could relate that a little bit to your story. Kind of early on I said, you know, is that a way setting these kind of big goals was something around building confidence or how? How did that go for you?

Speaker 3:

I do think that it definitely helped me build confidence. Um, I think I've, you know, never being a runner. In high school I was a little overweight at some points too. So, um, I don't think anyone would have thought that I'd be. You know for sure, I didn't even think.

Speaker 3:

I'd become a runner it was. I needed to prove that to myself. I needed to prove that I belong here just as much as anybody else and it doesn't matter what speed you're running at. You're a runner. I don't care if you are running a 12-minute mile Like. You are out there doing something that someone isn't doing and you're literally moving. So they're doing something that someone isn't doing and you're literally moving. So we get better every you know, the more consistent we are and the things that we put in place to prove ourselves.

Speaker 3:

But it was confidence building during many moments in the, in the time of training for this first marathon, just knowing that, like you know, I looked at a map. I didn't even know I was new to the area I was living in, so I was also like learning the roads where I live. So it was like I'm going to go out of my shell here and I'm going to learn. Like I'm running two towns away and not an area I grew up in. It was a beautiful area. I live in Farmington Valley, but it was confidence building. And then you know, in that way too, just being independent. So, yeah, and then you know, meeting people on the bike running, you can tell people who are like out there, long distance endurance and giving that that runner, and you know that little indoor composure.

Speaker 1:

I love that, I love that. And it's funny. You're talking about being out there with other people running. You know, someone would wear their hydration pack just to pretend that they were doing long distance, so they had an excuse to run slow, and I just laugh about that all the time. So when someone's running on the trail, the hydration pack, I'm like are they thinking about that to me or am I thinking about that about them? But yeah, that's really funny.

Speaker 1:

So you know, let's talk about you've had a lot of success, kind of, in your fitness journey leading up to the world championships, and I know you're going to do it again this year, you know. So let's talk a little bit about, you know, steps to success. So you know, talk about setting that big goal, having something to work towards, but you can't do it all at once, right? You kind of work towards it in steps and I think that might be very overwhelming for somebody they think about hey, if I'm here today, it's unlikely that I'm going to be able to get all the way there, because it's hard for them to picture it. So, like, how would you break down, kind of the steps to success in your journey?

Speaker 3:

I continuously do this. I worry about today and what I have to do today and that's it, and then tomorrow's a new day. Obviously, the overarching goal is always there, but I know that if I can do the best I can with what I have today, um, whether that is, you know, my effort, my fatigue level, like you know, I try to be really true to myself. Like, am I, am I mailing it in right now? No, I just make sure I'm not doing that. That that is the worst. Uh, I feel in training or when you show up to the starting line, you don't want to feel like you're mailing it in, you're doing the best you can. But there are some days that you know it doesn't always work out perfect. But it's like I said, it's really that lead domino. It's like doing one thing well and then like getting to the next thing right. So I'm and I try, not even today.

Speaker 3:

I looked at my training program. I knew I needed to bring my running shoes, but you know I didn't exactly like zone in on everything I need to do, because the job's going to get done one way or another. So I think that's helpful to not get overwhelmed and think, you know, looking three months out. Oh my God, I have to run 14 miles on, you know, this particular Sunday. How am I going to get there?

Speaker 3:

You know, just trust the process, just be consistent, just show up, do what's asked of you, do the best you can with it, and I think that that's something that's always been helpful for me in a lot of things, because there's been something for a professional career that seems so daunting. You know, I had to join a Toastmaster speaking club so I could present to hundreds of people. You know I had to join a Toastmasters speaking club so I could present to hundreds of people. You know, and multiple times in different conferences. And just joining the Toastmasters club was new to me and scary. And then standing up in front of a room with just the 12 people in our member group, you know, and learning how to present, and then continuously getting into bigger rooms right, and then continuously getting into bigger rooms right. But had I not taken that first step and just said let me focus on this, I may be too scared to even take on that venture. So I think it's focusing on the day you have ahead of you and trusting yourself.

Speaker 1:

I love that and for our listeners, if you're not running today, that first step could be just lacing up a pair of running shoes, right, and then just going for a walk and then maybe doing a run walk program like a couch to 5k, and then eventually progressing from there. And then if you're, you know, a half marathoner and you want to go for your first marathon, like I'm doing this year, you pick up that plan and then you just kind of build up and I you know I'm thinking the same thing gosh, I have to run 26 miles and the most I've ever run is 20 in my life and that was hard. And you know, I know coach Kevin's listening to this. He remembers that day like it was yesterday. So you know, it's taking that first step, I think, is really important and really focusing on where you are now.

Speaker 1:

I love what you said there and kind of what I've been thinking or saying to myself recently has been you know, run the mile that you're in, right, you know. So last week I had to run 13 miles and I'm like, even though I've done it before, 13 miles is a long way. So I'm just just run the mile you're in, just get to the next one and get to the next one and, before you know it, you know you're going to be at the finish line.

Speaker 3:

Right. My mom has always said to me you know she's lived her life like this and sometimes it drives me nuts as a child of the mom, but she's always like why you know you can't worry about things that haven't like they're not. They're so far away like you're worrying, does nothing for today and right now what your focus is, and she applies that through everything in her life.

Speaker 3:

Um, sometimes there is too much caution to the wind and we are in opposite cycles where I'm the parent, she's the mother, but you know she's the daughter. I'm the mother, but you know. It's true. You know, worrying today about something that's not even happened is literally thwarting your efforts for today, you know, and so that's another thing. That's what brought through life.

Speaker 1:

That's great. So you know we're starting to talk a little bit about lessons learned, so share some other or lessons learned kind of, along your fitness journey.

Speaker 3:

Well, I guess one thing that some lessons learned. You know, being a runner, I quickly learned you can't just run, you need to do strength, you need to do discipline strength and you don't need to do heavy weights, but you need to be disciplined about your mobility, about working on single leg strength. I've learned a lot and read a lot on that and you know your recovery efforts are really important. So, like I said, I started running. The first marathon I did was 2002. We're in 2024. I'm 44 years old this year, so it is something that my goal was always to stay and I want to be the old lady. I need to be the old lady on the podium. If there are three people in that age group, I'm in there.

Speaker 1:

You're going to be number one on there.

Speaker 3:

People are going to be like, get this lady off the course, Whatever it is I'm doing, but I want that staying power, and how we get that staying power is being, you know, educating ourselves on the things that are going to help us, First of all, stay in the game, stay healthy, stay engaged and also, you know, be the best version of ourselves. So that's a big lesson I've learned, so, and that that also again filters into other things in life, like when something it seems you know hard to keep up, or whatever. Like what are the other things I can be doing that are not exactly this one movement pattern or exactly this one thing that can help aid? So like nutrition, prioritizing nutrition and prior and I'm not perfect at all, I love sweets and stuff, but I'm making sure I'm getting you know in all the things I need to do outside of just the action of being physically out, Of course, Okay, Okay.

Speaker 1:

And nutrition is very important and I would say that I've fallen off the wagon a little bit lately. You know too many cookies and ice cream bars, so the problem no, that's not, that's not, that's not the problem.

Speaker 3:

I mean you have to be really off the wagon, and you're not you have to live right, we have to be, you know. We're not all elites making a career, you know. So this was my only right and this is my. You know you better be damn straight. I'm not going to reach for the Klondike box, but this is a lifestyle that we can bring into our life and be balanced about it. So it's okay to do these things that you're doing.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I say it in jest, maybe, maybe not, but yeah, for those listening, like it's really important to find that balance, because I've been there where I totally cut out everything and while I reached my goals, I wasn't the happiest person to be around. Nobody wants to be around me when I'm coming. So I really try to find balance and I'm still working on it, but it's much more enjoyable, like life is much more enjoyable versus waiting. Gosh, I got all these things I need to do over the next six months. I'm going to cut all this stuff and summer's here or holidays or whatever the case is, so that's super hard to do. So yeah, so just trying to find balance. And then maybe there's just some things that you know I can make lifestyle changes. I'm not necessarily missing it, which is probably better for me, but yeah.

Speaker 3:

I think it's like super important if you want to dial in and maybe drop a few pounds for something in particular, you know you need to have that discipline to be saying like you know, right now this is what we're focusing, but it's not, it's not necessary to be that hard on ourselves for that long period of time because, like again, this thing we don't want to be falling up and feeling. The worst is when you feel like you let yourself down I don't care about letting anybody else down.

Speaker 1:

No, I'm not doing that, that I don't want to feel that. The other part of it is okay. We joke around about the cookies and the ice cream, but at the end of the day, I think what most people think is I have to eat less, you know, to kind of lose the weight. But if you're going to start up your activity, in some cases you need to figure out well what's the right balance, right in terms of how much you need and yeah. So talk to me a little bit about that.

Speaker 3:

So, yeah, I just focus on yeah, I really, like I spoke about gaining strength, for running was super important to me. So coming, you know, hand in hand with that is increasing the protein intake. So I'm very, very focused on that. But I'm also, I would say, equally focused the longer I've come along in this journey with energy expenditure, I'm putting out is really focusing on those carbohydrates. I was always never against carbs, but you know really that incremental more that I need is super important to have the staying power. So, like you know, a lot of times it will be a shift. It's like the carbs are coming first, before the workout so that I can do the workout really well. And you know, then we're we're supplying our, our muscles protein for recovery and so just becoming really educated on how our bodies, you know, perform better with different, you know ways, those levers that you can push and pull.

Speaker 3:

And you know I don't steer away from fats. I like to have fats because they're C-sheeting and so it's a balance, right. I just try to steer away from. You know there are some process things for easy, quick on the go, but I just really steer away from, like, the fast food, anything like that. That's just nothing that agrees with me. So, as far as you know, so I always want to just feel good, and you know when you don't feel good when you eat something, we all know what that feels like. So we just you know, really just start being intuitive and there's a lot of times that my body will will tell me in certain ways like I'll have this headache.

Speaker 3:

Sometimes my body has become so in tune with knowing that what it needs. Sometimes I'll get this headache that's out of nowhere. It's not related to caffeine, it's not related to sleep or hydration. It's literally I haven't had fish in a while. I need to get fish in my body. I've been very good with adding supplementation as far as omega-3 fatty acids. You know I take my creatine discipline. I am really good with magnesium that aids my sleep, sleeping and recovery and my vitamin D. Throughout the calendar year, whether it's the summer or not, I just up my intake and do more. And obviously, you know I supplement with protein powder. I don't do that every day. I try to get it from animal sources, but I do have to supplement with protein powder. I would say at least five times a week it's hard.

Speaker 3:

It's hard to get all the protein.

Speaker 3:

I want you know so, but, you know, let it be small steps that you take to. You know, these, all these things I've added in, you know I have been doing consistently for four or five years now, but the reality is is that I did not do all these things in my 20s. I didn't even know what protein powder would be or what it would taste like or what know. So it's like I added, I layered them in, and the discipline comes with learning and educating ourselves and then, like, we decide what works for us we, you know there's a little bit trial and error in that, but and all or nothing you know find what works for you and give yourself a little bit of time to acclimate to something new and if it agrees with you, it's great.

Speaker 1:

Then yeah yeah, I found a number of things that don't agree with me, so take some time to figure that out.

Speaker 1:

That led me to the things that do agree with me. So that's a good thing so. So I love that. So you know, we talked a little bit about kind of building confidence. We talked about your big goals. We talked about steps to kind of get to that goal and things you need to do. You know strength wise, running wise, nutrition wise, to kind of get there. You know strength wise, running wise, nutrition wise, to kind of get there. So I'd love to hear how all that kind of culminated in your races. So you know, just share a little bit about a couple of races maybe the race where you felt like you had the best performance and kind of what was going on there, and maybe a race where you didn't kind of live up to your expectations in that race and kind of what was going on there.

Speaker 3:

So I would say the race that I remember the most it isn't even well I remember all of them, but like the one that stands out to me the most was when I went to Decafit, philly, two years ago and I, with my very first time traveling, frankly, going to Philadelphia and then doing this race where you know like a 5K run with the 10 strength events, the Decafit, I was feeling you know like a 5k run with the 10 strength events, the Decafit. I was feeling, you know, prepared, but I hadn't been working directly with Kevin and underdog at the time. I was kind of self, you know, training. I did have a strength coach at the time but as far as the hybrid focus on that was really just kind of coming down to what I was piecing.

Speaker 3:

And when I got there and I ran that race and I took second place in my age group, I was like mind boggled, like it was like I'd never stood on a podium before, like so that's like this is so cool and it was just one of those moments where it was a confidence booster for me. So that really is a highlight. And then it was like, well, what else can I do Right? Where else can I be better, you know, because I knew there were some elements of that race that were, you know, the bike, the assault bike, the devil bike.

Speaker 1:

Our favorite, the devil.

Speaker 3:

There are a lot of things that could have gone better, and so I've been. Then I decided I really want to like dial this up. I want to get better at these elements that I need to learn from people that are, you know, more skilled and have more experience.

Speaker 3:

So then I joined officially joined Thunderbird, even though I was a friend of the community and coming here so that one stands out to me, and then obviously being able to qualify the next you know, with those times for championships and then coming in second in my age group of world championships, it was like one of those moments where I was like, oh, this is you know, this is working, like things are getting better. So this year we'll see what happens. And then, as far as like independent, just running events, the half marathon in Milford, the Gulf Beach half- marathon that we partake in.

Speaker 3:

You know it's a, it's a PR course, it's a flat course. So I've ran so many half marathons and you know, sometimes you just can't pull off those things, depending on the course. Many half marathons, marathons, and you know, sometimes you just can't pull off those things, depending on the course. And so every year at the Gulf Beach Marathon I would show up just to enjoy, because in my hometown and you know I'm pushing myself but never really, you know I know 13.1 miles, so I'm not trying to like race it right and and and I want to see what I can do, but I also want to have that staying power and I finally have built up this confidence to trust myself to race it.

Speaker 3:

And this past year, just a couple weeks ago, had my personal record on that course and you know I was racing for the very first time with four to six people that were like in my pack that I needed to make a moment and say I'm pulling away and I'm going to do this and I did. And so it's like these little moments sometimes you have that are like that built a lot in me from that, from that moment, um, just taking just like feeling like we're, we're all right here and we've all been chasing each other for like two, three miles, Like someone's going to have to pull away and the guts and I so, and I think that those moments I've had from before, you know, through DECA, through competing, kind of gave me that competitive feeling.

Speaker 3:

Not just a participant, but a competitor.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, and I love what you said about, you know, those wins. So the win about getting on the podium for the first time was a win and a confidence builder, but also the win like in the race, just being able to perform better and, like you said, pull away from the group. That in itself is a win. So you know, I guess the moral of the story is right just really think about your wins, whether they're small wins like during the race or during your training or all the way up to getting on the podium, right and winning the race and actually that pulling away.

Speaker 3:

I now credit that back to just three or four weeks prior to the race. I was in Westerly Rhode Island on vacation. There was an Ironman guy he was training and he was, you know, he full on like Ironman gear, Like I don't know where he was going, but he was a fast guy and so he had been running way ahead of me for a really long time on this long stretch by the beach and eventually he did some kind of walking or some stretching or whatever. And then of course, I kind of passed where he was and then, and then he came back up to me very swiftly Like and we were running shoulder to shoulder and it was really fun. And then you know he's saying at a pace because he's, you know, doing Ironman training or whatever.

Speaker 3:

But this guy was pretty elite in general to be at that pace for a long distance training session. And you know, I started to pull away a little bit from him and I was nervous because you know he's a male, he's fast, and I was like no, I, what the hell am I thinking Like I belong here, like just as much as him. And this is just in a regular training session by the beach in Wesley, rhode Island, on a Sunday by myself. So I pulled away and he gave me you know, he gave me like a clap and he was like go get it. Like he made me have that moment where I can be that person. So yeah, just in training, not even at a race.

Speaker 1:

Right right.

Speaker 3:

That's incredible.

Speaker 1:

That's an incredible story. So you know, tell me about. One of the questions I like to ask the guests that come on the show is what is the biggest obstacle that you had in your fitness journey and how'd you overcome it?

Speaker 3:

So I've had knee injuries. I've had, you know, my ACL was repaired twice. So in general, building strength and doing like squat patterns, I was always very nervous and so, but I realized that I had to get over that fear, and actually that's when I hired a strength, you know, I wouldn't squat to death. I was nervous to do so. I also had some things that needed to get stronger, you know like, in order to allow me to squat to death, and so I needed that, that, that help. So that was something I had really overcome was that my knee is not a limiter, it is strong, I've done the right things. Knee is not a limiter, it is strong, I've done the right things. I need to trust them, and so that's something that you know through getting, you know doing the things I need to do, for you know mobility and stretching and knowing when. You know when I've put in enough miles or you know that's important.

Speaker 3:

Another thing that I think I've overcome is that you know there were times now I said the first time I ran a marathon was 2002. So we're in 2024. It's a long time, and there were many years that I didn't do as many races or I wasn't like super competitive. Or maybe someone didn't even look at me and think I was a runner, right, because I'm a mom of two, so I had a couple extra pounds in me at some time even look at me and think I was a runner, right, because I'm a mom of two, so I had a couple extra pounds in me at some time.

Speaker 3:

And fighting those thoughts that you may have, like you know, why am I even doing this? Or I don't look like someone that you see online, those kinds of things, and so it's stuff that I think that you know we have to overcome a lot at different times, and so, you know, those thoughts creep into our mind every once in a while and we have to shut them down. We have to tell ourselves like, no, I'm doing the work and I feel like, do you feel good inside? Like, and that's what you have to focus on? So, yeah, so those are things that I overcome financially, as a female particularly.

Speaker 1:

Going back to confidence. Yeah, that's really important. Well, you know, well, congratulations on kind of working through those things over the years, right? So the confidence part, the strength part, you know the injuries, it's, it's hard, it's hard to you go through that and then bounce back and then do all the amazing things that you're doing today. So that's really incredible. Um, so tell me a little bit about you know, kind of as we wind down here, you know, another question I'd like to ask the guests that come on the show is, you know, typically ask what would you say to inspire someone to run? But I would say, in this particular conversation, what would you say to inspire someone to really set big goals to you know, do something different in their life and kind of think about taking them themselves at a next level, like what would you say to them?

Speaker 3:

I would say what I say to myself at every starting one why not? Why? Why do you think that any other person out there hasn't had similar struggles? Like it doesn't just get handed to people. There are some people, genetically you know athletic, right. They have a little bit more edge, right? You know, if you're coming from a family of Olympians, you're probably. But there are so many more that are just like you.

Speaker 3:

You know what I mean, and they just put the effort in and so that why not me mentality needs to be really in everything you do. You know you belong where you, where you want to be. That you have to really believe so. And once you believe that and you set that, that mindset and don't let anybody take that away, right, and there are going to be people that are corner or think that your training is crazy or maybe you're selfish. You know, as a mom, you can deal with that. People may think that they may not particularly agree with the amount of time I put in for myself or whatever, but I look at it as like the reality is. This is an example to my kids for a lifetime. Whether anybody else disagrees or agrees with it or not. This is my household. This is how I want to raise my kids. I want them to know they can always set a goal and achieve it and work hard for it, so that why not me? Mentality has to be there.

Speaker 1:

That's incredible, and you have an amazing, incredible family too, and I can see that and everything that they're doing. They have a great role model in you, so congratulations.

Speaker 3:

They inspire me too. They're little fighters out there the swimmer's faster than I ever was, so that's it.

Speaker 1:

You did your job. That's awesome, all right. Well, it's been a pleasure having you on the show. I really appreciate this conversation you sharing. You know your life story and you know a little bit about your life story and everything that you've accomplished, and so how can our listeners find and follow your incredible journey online?

Speaker 3:

Well, I post daily. Actually I like to share. So my Instagram handle is ChrissyK98. That's K-R-I-S-S-Y-K-98. Graduated from high school in 98. And you can follow me there. So I'm on Instagram and also on Facebook. My name is Christine Raymondi Pavlicek, so the stories are out there every day and I do some. You know. I highlight some posts on my Instagram when I have races and you know some takeaways and maybe some inspirational things, and then you'll see a mixed bag of some family stuff, although my kids don't really want to partake.

Speaker 3:

So me and Patty they were really element for a while, but not anymore. You know 15 and 13,. They're not into it that much, but you'll find more racing stuff as I've been adding to my collection there Similar story with my oldest daughter when she was about that age, so I completely understand.

Speaker 1:

I didn't understand it then, but I get it now, so great. Thank you so much, chrissy, for coming on the show. I'll put this information in the show notes and with that, thanks again for coming on the show and have a great day.

Speaker 3:

Thank you. This has been wonderful, Richard. I appreciate it.

Speaker 2:

That's it for this episode of Inspired to Run Podcast. We hope you are inspired to take control of your health and fitness and take it to the next level. Be sure to click the subscribe button to join our community and also please rate and review. Thanks for listening.

People on this episode

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Richard Conner

Host
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Kristine Pavelchak

Guest