What's it like to be the voice that gets you up that brutal hill during a runDisney race? In this milestone episode, we pull back the curtain with Disney entertainer Jodi Chase, who reveals the method behind the "annoying" character she portrays alongside her race course partner Angie. "We're trying to be as annoying as possible so that you will not want to stop," Jody laughs, explaining how this strategy actually helps distract exhausted runners from their pain.

Beyond her hill-side encouragement, Jodi takes us through her fascinating 30-year Disney career spanning iconic experiences from Citizens of Hollywood to World Showcase storytelling. She shares how she met her husband (fellow runDisney announcer John Pelkey) at Universal's Horror Makeup Show, and details her unexpected journey into race announcing. The conversation reveals the remarkable stamina required to keep high energy for hours while motivating thousands of runners in all weather conditions. "When it's sideways rain, we've got to go in, no ifs, ands, or buts about it," she explains about typical protocol, "but we felt so bad... we were just yelling at people as they're running by, making hopefully people laugh in those little moments where they were just like 'this is the worst thing ever.'"

We also explore Jodi's passionate work founding A Better Life Pet Rescue, a foster-based organization she ran for two decades, saving countless animals from euthanasia. Meanwhile, the hosts share their Springtime Surprise registration experiences, summer training challenges in record heat, and welcome Jake and his 8-year-old son Teddy for a heartwarming Race Report Spotlight about their Fenway Park 5K benefiting veterans.

Whether you're curious about the people behind those encouraging voices on course, looking for motivation to push through summer training, or simply want to feel connected to the broader running community, this episode bridges the magic of Disney entertainment with the heart of the running experience. Join us for the kick-off of our third century of podcasts as we continue rising and running together!

Better Life Pet Rescue

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For our landmark 200th episode, we're joined by a running legend who needs no introduction—Jeff Galloway, Olympian, author, coach, and the revolutionary mind behind the Run-Walk-Run method.

Jeff takes us back to his humble beginnings as an overweight eighth-grader who could barely run half a mile before "hitting the wall." From those inauspicious starts, we follow his journey through collegiate running alongside peers like Bill Rodgers and Amby Burfoot, through military service, and ultimately to the 1972 Olympic Games. What's most revealing isn't just Jeff's athletic accomplishments, but the character behind them—like selflessly pacing his teammate to Olympic qualification while stepping back at the finish line himself.

The heart of our conversation explores how Jeff developed his famous Run-Walk-Run method in the early 1970s. What started as a practical solution for beginning runners blossomed into an approach that has helped countless people cross finish lines they never imagined possible. Jeff shares fascinating insights, including that the very first Olympic marathoners all "walked significant portions of the race," and how his method has evolved through data from over 500,000 runners.

We also discuss Jeff's special relationship with runDisney from its inception, his remarkable recovery from a heart attack, and his goal to run the Honolulu Marathon at age 80—potentially becoming the first person ever to run marathons across eight decades of life.

Throughout the episode, we take time to reflect on our own 200-episode journey, sharing memories, listener messages, and thoughts on how this podcast has grown from a simple idea into a global community. The Rise and Run family now spans 127 countries, with over 5,200 members sharing friendship, support, and a mutual love of running.

Join us for this special celebration of resilience, community, and the simple joy of putting one foot in front of the other—whether you're running, walking, or using Jeff's proven combination of both.

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In episode 199, we visit with runDisney royalty Alan and Grace Young, who share their remarkable 30+ year journey with Walt Disney World Marathon. Alan holds the incredible distinction of running every single Walt Disney World Marathon since its 1994 inception—a legacy he's maintained through strokes, surgeries, and countless challenges. "I never consider not finishing as an option," he explains, offering a masterclass in perseverance. Together, he and Grace chronicle the evolution of runDisney from its humble beginnings—when merchandise was sold at the airport instead of expos and costumes were nonexistent—to the celebration it's become today.

Perhaps most touching is the story behind their famous friendship bracelets. What began as therapy following Alan's stroke has blossomed into over 4,000 handcrafted tokens of community that have traveled to all seven continents. This beautiful gesture perfectly captures the spirit of the running community they've helped foster.

The episode wraps with our Race Report Spotlight featuring Michelle from Erie, Pennsylvania, who shares her North East Cherry Festival 5K experience and how seeing runners who looked like her at Disney inspired her to begin her own journey.

Ready to rediscover your running motivation or connect with fellow Disney runners? Subscribe now and join our Zoom meetup this Thursday—details in our Facebook group!

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Rise and Run Podcast is supported by our audience. When you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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