In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, I'm joined by the incredible Julie Weiss — also known as The Marathon Goddess. Julie's story is one of resilience, healing, and purpose. After losing her father to pancreatic cancer, she set out on an extraordinary mission: to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks, raising awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research along the way.
Her journey captured hearts around the world — from the Today Show and O Magazine to countless finish lines across the US. But behind the medals and media attention is a woman who found strength, joy, and hope through running.
Now in her fifties, Julie has completed over 118 marathons, raised more than $1 million for research, and continues to inspire others with her message that it's never too late to chase your dreams, honour your loved ones, and find purpose in every step.
In this conversation, Julie opens up about:
How running helped her heal from grief and depression
The challenges and triumphs of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks
What it takes to stay motivated and injury-free through massive goals
Her empowering "7 C's to Defy Your Limits" — Create, Certainty, Connect, Commit, Consistent, Cause, and Courage
Julie's story is a beautiful reminder that transformation begins with one small step — and that every mile can make a difference.
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Show notes
- Who is Julie
- Living in Santa Monica, California, USA
- Being known as the Marathon Goddess - Running 52 marathon in 52 weeks
- Raising over $1 million for charity
- Being excited to share the wisdom she has leaned from running marathons
- Her childhood and early years
- Being tall with long legs
- Starting running at 37 years
- Not being at athlete at school
- Taking a different path
- Becoming a mother at 18
- Not doing a lot of exercise in her younger years
- Feeling at a very low point in her life
- Going for that first run on the beach
- Wanting to feel good
- Keeping on running
- Coming off anti-depressants
- Fitting running into her life and making it work for her
- Joining a running group LA Road Runners
- Connecting with other people
- Training for a triathlon first
- Running her first marathon in March 2008
- How running makes her feel
- Her relationship with her dad
- Raising funds for Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research
- Taking 10 years to raise the funds
- Project Purple
- Deciding to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks
- The Marathon Guy
- Being determined
- Feeling overwhelmed at the start of the goal
- The start and the different steps involved
- Reaching out to charities, speaking to her boss
- The power of having purpose
- The physicality of the challenge
- Protein, stretching, foam rolling, strength training, rest, compression tights, physio
- The standout marathons from the challenge
- The Leadville Marathon and the challenges of running at altitude
- The Lake Tahoe Marathon
- The New York Marathon in 2012 - being cancelled
- Marathon proposal!
- Being coached by her husband
- Qualifying for the Boston Marathon
- Losing her dad
- 19th attempt of getting into Boston Marathon
- Making the decision to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks
- Not giving up
- The mental side of the challenge
- The importance of creating a goal that is important to you
- The 7Cs - Create, Certainty, Connect, Commit, Consistent, Cause, Courage
- Enjoying what you've accomplished
- Writing her book
- BOOK: The Miles and Trials of a Marathon Goddess: 52 Weeks, 52 Marathons
- Advice for deciding what to do?
- The importance of fun
- Chasing speed and wanting to quality for Boston again
- Running during peri-menopause and menopause
- Struggling with the lack of sleep and dealing with a lack of iron
- Compassion
- Reaching her 100th Marathon at the LA Marathon
- Needing to keep on going
- Being supported by her friends
- The importance of enjoying the journey and finding the joy
- How to connect with Julie
- Words by ― CS Lewis "You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream."
Social Media
Website: www.julie-weiss.com
Instagram: @marathongoddess
Facebook: @Julie-WeissMarathonGoddess