Marcus Powell wasn’t always the kind of guy who’d propose a marathon challenge. True, the University of Iowa hall coordinator had wanted to make lifestyle changes for some time, but other things always seemed to get in the way.
Then Powell, who also earned a master’s degree at Iowa, began meeting with LiveWELL health coach Carla Melby-Oetken.
“It was good to share goals with someone who was not a family member or close friend,” Powell says. “It was motivation to make sure that someone else who was in my life could engage with me about being healthy. It was also a connection to other resources, like personal training.”
Powell changed his food intake, transitioned to a vegan diet, and engaged with a therapist. He also lost 37 lbs. and was able to remove some medications from his daily routine.
Unsurprisingly, his mood likewise improved.
“I find that I am less stressed or less likely to get annoyed by things that would usually be a trigger,” Powell says. “I am more often a chill person, and so being able to be that more often is great.”
Soon, inspired by a colleague, Powell invited others in his office to join the marathon challenge: Over the course of 20 days, participants worked to complete a half (13.1 miles), full (26.2 miles), or ultra (31 miles) marathon. The coworkers logged their miles in a shared Google form, and Powell sent out updates to the group every few days.
“It served as a motivator for folks to get out and continue doing their great work,” he says. “It was exciting, and it would be something that I would not mind doing again in the future.”
So, what advice would Powell give others?
“It is a journey, and you will have to recognize all of the ups and downs to continue progressing. When you only highlight the positive moments, you forget how to do that positive self-talk when the challenging moments come along. Do not be afraid of the fear of falling off track.”
Interested in working with a health coach on your well-being goals? Learn more about Health Coach Services, or contact LiveWELL to request an appointment.