When you blend what you love, it's like magic.

Often when I am on a podcast, being interviewed for a written publication or speaking to a curious runner, I get some version of this question:

What is one parting message you would like to end with?

I think people expect me to say some version of “Eat meatless once a week” or “Compost at home," and while those are two very beneficial acts that can be taken (and yes, have real impact!!), my parting message is usually something along the lines of this:

Find something you are passionate about, environmental or not, and find a way to fight for it. We all have something that we feel very strongly about, a change we would like to see in the world, but it can be all too easy to push it down the to do list, put it off.

And I get it, we are absolutely overwhelmed; speaking up, standing up, trying to make the world a “better” place feels scary and very easy to fail at doing. None of us needs another reason to feel like crap; society reminds us we are not good enough on a daily basis without putting ourselves out there.

And yet, when you do something bold to create awareness, advocacy, curiosity around that thing you are passionate about, it feels SO good to take an action that you will do more and more of it.

Many people tell me they wish their lives had more purpose. They feel lonely, stuck in a job they hate, like their contributions don’t matter. They say, “I wish I was brave enough to speak up like you do."

Here is the thing though:

When I started a few years ago with 100 Days of Sustainability (putting a video on my Instagram every day for 100 days about how we can be more environmentally conscious), I felt scared; I felt like I wasn’t good enough; I felt this urge to stop. It was incredibly uncomfortable.

And yet, it also felt good; I was doing something. I was helping people to understand what was on my heart. Within a few years, I had turned this passion into a career.

While I am not saying your passion will necessarily result in the same, it will inspire people in your life that you never knew were paying attention. It will help someone else feel understood and seen. It will help others understand why this topic matters so much to you (and why they should care too).

Last Sunday, I ran 1hr 34 minutes in my first half marathon post surgery. I got to blend together my return to running post- surgery journey with my passion for environmental advocacy.

I ran as hard as my body could take me, while wearing a skirt made of trash with plastic water bottles between my legs, climate stats on my body, and a NYRR Team For Climate shirt. I had drawings from my daughters on my back, along with a sign saying “Ask me about my outfit," and some people did.

I could also tell that any time they did ask, everyone around us was listening. They were curious too, even while racing a half marathon.

Did I make any of them change the way they think about their actions? Maybe, maybe not, but it was worth trying.

And damn, did it feel good to run my little heart out while creating awareness for something I care so deeply about.

What can you do? While reading this email, the cause you care about has come to the front of your mind. What can you do today to take a step to help others understand it?

Do it.

Will you be in Chicago for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle this weekend? I will be, and I would love to have you join us for plogging on Saturday.

Gonna be in Boston?

Putting together an amazing group of leaders to host a plog with there.

Saturday, 19th April morning tentatively; save that time!

Getting LOTS of questions about my Instagram story telling runners that we need to move away from confetti cannons. I am gonna make a social media post about it, coming soon. If you don't follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn, go do that.

If you feel like there's something out there that you're supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it.

-Wanda Sykes

Thanks to our partner, HydraPak

Carried my HydraPak Tempo Pro bottle with me for the half marathon on Sunday. It worked beautifully, and was really easy to sip during the race, which was great because as it was very humid and foggy, I knew I was sweating a lot.

I'll be honest; I still prefer the SkyFlask 350ml, but both work really well. Carrying your own hydration is not only an environmental step you can take, but I genuinely think it is better to have your own product you practiced with at the strength you practiced with, to sip along the way, rather than choking something unfamiliar down at every aid station.

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Be kind to one another, yourself, and this beautiful planet of ours.

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