The Weathered Athlete Podcast

Catherine Hammond - Mile #33

Legacy, Loss & Living Fully: Catherine Hammond on Caregiving, Compassion & the Power of Story
In this deeply moving episode, Pete sits down with Catherine Hammond, award-winning attorney, speaker, and founder of the Hammond Law Group, to explore her powerful caregiving journey that began when she was just 12 years old.
Catherine shares how caring for her mother with early-onset Alzheimer’s shaped her life—from navigating adolescence with emotional weight far beyond her years to becoming a young adult responsible for legal decisions, all while raising her own children and attending law school.
Together, Pete and Catherine dive into:
✅ The emotional complexities of caregiving at a young age✅ The Ring Theory—a practical tool for navigating crisis and protecting emotional energy✅ The journey from resentment to forgiveness✅ How to care for yourself while caring for others✅ Why sharing stories and preserving wisdom is one of the greatest gifts we can leave behind
Catherine also introduces her TrueWealth Family LegacySM System, which helps families pass on more than just financial assets—capturing love, stories, and guidance for future generations.
This conversation is a must-listen for caregivers, adult children, and anyone reflecting on how to live—and love—more intentionally.
For more information on passing your TrueWealth: TrueWealth Info
Estate planning in CO: https://coloradoestateplan.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherinehammond.life/
👉 Subscribe, share, and consider becoming a patron to support future episodes: www.weatheredathlete.com
#WeatheredAthlete #CaregiverSupport #AlzheimersAwareness #Legacy #Resilience #FamilyCaregiving #TrueWealth #CompassionInAction
Code:  IB6X4ED3ZCHI1WN7

Akil Taher Mile #32

BIO:
Akil Taher is a practicing physician living in Atlanta, GA. At 76 years young, he is a septuagenarian athlete, an eternal optimist, explorer, and adventurer, who in 2010, at the age of sixty-one, dramatically altered the conventional script adopted by most bypass surgery patients by undertaking a mountaineering trek to Mount Kailash in Tibet. Defying expectations with this accomplishment only a year after open-heart surgery, Dr. Akil then stretched to run his first full marathon in October 2011, the Chicago Marathon; and in September 2012, he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Dr. Taher expanded the canvas of his age-defying adventures by pursuing physically challenging activities on land, sea, and air, including a century bike ride (a 100-mile cycling event), triathlon, white water rafting, hang gliding, and skydiving and bungee jumping. Over the last decade, he has overcome acute and chronic medical ailments by transforming his mind, body, and spirit through the adoption of a plant-based diet, regular exercise, the practice of yoga and meditation, and developing a positive and purpose-driven mindset. Dr. Akil authored his first book in 2021, Open Heart, as a chronicle of this transformational journey and his exploits since his heart surgery. Today, he shares his story, wisdom, and medical knowledge far and wide, to spread the message and educate thousands about living a heart-healthy lifestyle and using food as medicine.  OPEN HEART: The Transformational Journey of a Doctor Who, After Bypass Surgery at 61, Ran Marathons and Climbed Mountains is available in Softcover, Kindle, and Audible at: https://amzn.to/3sy299g  All proceeds from book sales go to charity.
 
Website: https://www.akiltaher.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akiltaherFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorakiltaherInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/akiltaherTwitter: https://twitter.com/AkilTaher2YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@akiltahermd
 
Shop & Cook with the Doc: https://akiltaher.com/shop-n-cook
Talk with the Doc: https://akiltaher.com/docs-corner
 

Weathered Athlete Update

I want to thank everyone for their continued support.  Due to a not so balanced work life balance I had taken sometime off.  After completing a 50k (31 miles) I have completed a course correction and will be traveling to Manchester, TN to participate in A Race for the Ages.  It has the distinction of having an average age in the 60's with oldest participant this year at 90.  
My plan over this year is to resume search for the Fountain of Youth.  I hope will be willing to take a 1 mile walk with me. #onemilechallenge #weatheredathletesrule #mymilesR4 discovery
Thanks
Pete Barusic

Mile #31 - Tamieka Howell - 46 year old Physician and Women‘s Tackle Football Player

Today I am honored to be joined by Doctor Tamieka Howell or as she is known on the football field “Doc”.  At 46 years young may be just out of the normal Weathered Athlete guidelines.  But I dare you to find another physician taking up women’s tackle football in her mid 40’s.  She offers a great perspective at what it takes to step outside of one’s comfort zone and try something that most may think is crazy.  As she said she has been pushing the boundaries her whole life. 
To learn more about or help provide financial support please visit www.thecarolinaphoenix.com and the Women's Football Alliance https://wfaprofootball.com
Bio:  Born in Phoenix, AZ, Dr. Howell is a board certified family physician. She holds a bachelor's degree in Physiological Sciences from The University of Arizona. She moved to North Carolina for residency training at Moses Cone Family Medicine after completing Medical School at New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. In her 15 years in clinical practice with Novant Health, she worked in urgent care, served as Lead Clinician, and then started a family medicine practice where she cared for patients from newborn to end of life. She currently works for Wellcare of North Carolina assisting with medical necessity reviews while continuing to see patients part-time with Novant Health. Dr. Howell has several years of experience in advocacy work related to healthcare. She has spent time visiting lawmakers in Raleigh and Washington, DC advocating on behalf of patients, colleagues and the community. She serves on the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Commission on Members and Member Services. Also a past president of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Howell continues to sit on their board as an alternate delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates. She plays defensive end for the Carolina Phoenix women's tackle football team and enjoys swimming, triathlon, tennis and spending time with friends and family.
 

Mile#30 - Jack Welber - 80- 84 y/o Age Group Sprint National Triathlete and Co Author of "Not Dead Yet..."

I am honored to be joined by 83 y/o Jack Welber,  I had the pleasure of meeting Jack during a practice open water swim in Boulder 3 weeks ago.  He was preparing to participate at Sprint Triathlon Nationals in Milwaukee.  He is co-author of Not Dead Yet:  World Triathlon Champions 75+ offer tips for thriving & flourishing in later life, available at Amazon and on Audible
Jack graduated from the University of Florida in 1959 with a BA in Economics and a minor in Philosophy. He earned 100% of his college tuition and expenses playing jazz saxophone at college events.  After 2 ½ years of military service, Jack began a career in business where he spent 27 years at Johnson & Johnson in middle and upper management. In 2004 at the age of 66, he formed the executive search firm, Wimbledon Group Inc specializing in recruiting oncologists for the pharmaceutical industry. Clients included Pfizer, Bristol Myers, Quintiles and Johnson & Johnson.
Jack’s love of sports started with high school basketball and track and continued throughout his adult working life. He ran 5K’s, 10K’s, half marathons and several full marathons. 
Back injuries caused Jack In 2004 to switch to triathlon. He hired a coach and began competing in local events on the west coast of Florida where he lived. Starting in 2012, Jack began competing on a national level and ITU Worlds where he had 7 starts and 3 podium finishes including a win in Rotterdam. With heart felt recognition to his good fortune for genetic inheritance, Jack would humbly like to compete in the 85-89 age group next year in Milwaukee.
 

Mile #29-Coach Karen Buxton - 5:40 Finish at 70.3 Ohio and World’s Qualifier- Breast Cancer survivor and 3 years S/P Total Hip Replacement

She is a USAT Level III Triathlon Coach www.coachbuxton.com.  She is the race director for 2 events locally that benefit Team Tri for Hospice which she founded in honor of her brother.  To make a donation or for more details on this 501(c)(3) please visit www.triforhospice.com.  We discuss how she has navigated life as she has aged and how she is in uncharted waters as she works to return sport activity after her recent total hip replacement.   She provides great insight on how through the use of cross training and adequate recovery she works to minimize risk of injury to  herself and the athletes she coaches.    I hope you enjoy.
 
 
Her Bio:
 
I have been a professional coach for over 30 years and have specialized in working with endurance athletes for the past twenty. I have a B.S. in Allied Health Sciences from Johnson State College (now Northern Vermont University) and a M.Ed. in Athletic Administration from Temple University and hold coaching certifications of Level-III and Youth and Junior from USA Triathlon. I have also served as the Secretary-General of USA Triathlon's Board of Directors, Co- Chair for USAT’s Age Group Commission, board member of USAT's Mid- Atlantic Region and as a member of USAT’s Duathlon Commission.
 
I have presented for USAT’s Coaching Certification Program and authored 3 successful “Women’s Triathlon Emerging Sport” grants for 2 Division II and 1 Division III Universities; authored The Triathlete’s Guide to Off-Season Training; written articles for Active.com and Triathlete Magazine; and founded Team Tri for Hospice (www.triforhospice.com), a 501(c)(3) that raises awareness and funds for non-profit hospices.
 
Taking up triathlon 29 years ago, I have worked my way from a mid-packer in sprint distance races to representing the United States on ten world teams (four in triathlon and six in duathlon). Highlights of my extensive racing career include: a member of two four-person teams (all women & coed) that finished the 2002 & 2016 Race Across America (RAAM), fifteen iron-distance races including the 2004 & 2014 Hawaii Ironman World Championships, the 2017 70.3 World Championships, a 5th place overall finish in the 2000 U.S. Long Course Championships, 1st place age group finish at the 2007 Long Course Duathlon Championships, an age group silver medal at the 2007 Long Course World Duathlon Championships, and a second place age group finish at the 2010 USAT Sprint Triathlon National Championships.
 
I am a seven-time USA Triathlon All-American (2001, 2003, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019), four-time Ironman All World Silver Athlete (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) and have been inducted into my high school and college Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mile #28 - Bob Becker (Replay of Mile #10) Oldest person at age 70 to complete the Badwater Double (292 miles)

In honor of today’s start of the Badwater 135 I can’t think of any better guide for mile #28 than to replay the episode with Bob Becker.  For those that may have missed it Bob was my guide for mile #10.  
For those not familiar with the Badwater 135 it is called the World’s Toughest foot race.  It covers 135 miles from the Badwater Basin in Death Valley which marks the lowest elevation in North America at 280 feet below sea level and finishes at Whitney Portal at 8300 feet which is the trailhead to the Mount Whitney Summit.  Runners will traverse 3 mountain Ranges with a cumulative  ascent of 14,600 feet and descent of 6100 feet.  What is remarkable about this race is temps in Death Valley for this event are forecast for 114-117 degrees.  This year it will involve 84 runners from 7 countries including 29 states. The roster is made up of 60 men and 24 women, with 36 of the participants are over the age of 50, there are 10 in the 60-69 age group and 2 over the age 70.  Bob will be this years oldest participant at age 76.  Bob has been a part of this race for total of 14 years either crewing for another runner or running the event.  This is his 4th year running the event.    As you listen I ask you to think how you will spend your days at age 76.  
When it comes to ultra running Bob’s Bio is incredible. 
 
On September 2, 2019, Bob was the overall winner and broke the race record at A Race For The Ages ("ARFTA") in Manchester TN.  Bob completed 230 miles in just under 74 hours, besting the old record of 228 miles in this fixed time race.  To level the field for older athletes, runners at ARFTA are age-handicapped: competitors run for the number of hours equaling their age to see who will complete the greatest number of miles.In November, 2018, Bob won the "Masters" award at the Azalea 12/24 Hour race in Palatka, FL, completing 54+ miles in 12 hours.  In October he finished the 50-kilometer race at PALM100, and in March 2018--and again in March, 2019--completed the 51.4-mile race at Badwater Cape Fear on Bald Head Island, N.C.
 
https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a20849297/70-year-old-becomes-oldest-to-complete-292-mile-badwater-double/
 
Full bio:  https://www.keys100.com/index.php/more/about-the-race-director
 
Bob is the Race Director for the Keys 100 and Everglades Ultras Trail Race
"The KEYS100 Experience":   https://youtu.be/6hOza0OOS8s 
 https://keys100.com/the-experience 
 
Race web page is on the keys100.com  
 
 
 

Mile #27- Joe Randene - Ultra Runner, Blogger

Today I am honored to be joined by Joe Randene for mile #27.   To learn more about Joe or check out his blog.  www.joerandene.com
Bio
Husband and Father of Five
US Navy Nuclear Engineer – USS Keywest SSN-722
BS Business Administration – Franklin University
Avid Runner – 6 Ultra Marathons (4 - 100 Milers), 5 Marathons, 5 Half Marathons, 3 10k’s
General Manager Fleet Feet GSO/HP
Blogger 
Countries Lived: United States, Italy, Poland
Humans of Hoka Promo: https://vimeo.com/392778011
 

Mile #26- Dick Rosen 90 y/o 2021 Senior Games Participant (Replay of Mile #5)

I have been fortunate to be a part of the Greensboro Senior Games for the past 8 years.  This past week we completed all the track and running events.  Once again this year did not disappoint.  The oldest female participant Dot Sowerby in the 85-89 year old age group competed in every event.  Her smile at the finish line is infectious!!  I am working on her appearance for an upcoming episode. I love every participant and continued to be inspired.  But as always my favorite is Dick Rosen.  At age 90 his incredible drive to participate is amazing.  As like Dot he competed in every event.  However, unlike previous years, due to a back injury he was only able to walk every event including the 5k which he finished in 70 min 59 seconds.  As I congratulated him on his accomplishment.  His response was thank you but I would have been faster if it wasn’t for my back.  I am sorry you had to wait so long.  Honestly I would stay there all day if I had to.  And if that is not enough he is scheduled to participate in the 10k next week.  For those that may have missed my interview with Dick during mile #5, I encourage you to take a view into why Dick Rosen continues to be a great example of how to stay active!!
 
 
 

Mile #25 - Jerry Guiliano- Surgical Steel to Ironman: A Collection of Perseverance Stories

Jerry Guiliano and his wife Katrina of 18 years, live in Brentwood, TN.  They have two wonderful children, Mia and Matthew, and two great dogs, Lola and Jeter.  Jerry heads up the Global Innovation and Retail Sales team for the Workwear Division of the VF Corporation.  
Born in Northern New Jersey,  Jerry learned that hard work and perseverance are two qualities that mold a person’s character.  While attending college in New York, Jerry was involved in a life-threatening car accident.  This accident would land him in the hospital for over 40 days.  His comeback story is filled with experiences that required working harder, smarter, and longer than most of his peers.  After nearly 30 years, with 8 pins and 2 prosthetic hips, Jerry competed and completed his dream of finishing a 70.3 Ironman. 
His book Surgical Steel to Ironman: A Collection of Perseverance Stories has anticipated release later after August 2021