Each week, we'll be profiling members of our action team. Tune in and learn some more about these amazing womyn.

In Their Shoes: Jordan S

Q1: Who are you? Describe your work, life, and sport of choice.

Hey! I’m Jordan (@j0rdanstr0ng on IG)! I’m a dog mom to two of the sweetest girls in the world. I am a School Social Worker at a high school in Tampa, FL and Assistant Girl’s Basketball coach for my school. I am a cycle instructor on the side with goals of becoming a personal trainer. I am also the leader of the Badass Lady Gang Tampa chapter.

Q2: What is your sport of choice? How did you get started with it? Do you compete in races, if so what's your favorite distance?

My sport of choice is running but it hasn’t always been that way. I have always been an athlete but basketball was my first love. I actually hated running for most of my life. I am an adult onset runner and have been running since 2012. I began running as a way to lose some weight I had gained due to no longer playing basketball after college. I have run all distances from the 5k to the marathon. I love the half marathon and full marathon equally but for very different reasons. There’s something special about the marathon that I can’t really put into words. I have learned so much about myself through marathon training and running the marathon distance. I have goals of running a marathon in every state as well as Qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon.

Q3: What is your driving force behind your sport?

Running is incredibly therapeutic for me. It keeps me sane, helps me release stress and gives me time to process my thoughts/things going on in my life. Running teaches me things about myself regularly. It shows me that I am capable of things I didn’t know I was capable of. Running is always there for me and it is the most consistent thing in my life. When I got divorced in 2018, running saved me. Outside of that, my goals of getting that BQ keep me focused and help push me.

Q4: What are three words that people use to describe you?

Passionate, determined, genuine

Q5: What is your favorite thing to listen to while working out (music, podcast, audiobook, etc)...or do you prefer to go without headphones?

I typically listen to podcasts while running/training for races. I try to save music for race day. For the half or full marathon I listen to a podcast the first half of the race and then switch to music. I have recently started to go without headphones completely to take my training to the next level and I have actually fallen in love with running without something in my ear. It helps to focus on my form, breathing, running but it also gives me the time to completely disconnect.  

Q6: What is your favorite meal or recipe?

My favorite cheat meal is pizza. My favorite meal to eat the night before a race is some sort of chicken rice bowl. 

Q7: Name a book you recommend to all your friends?

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. Bryan Stevenson is so incredibly selfless and his fight for justice for those who don’t have a voice is inspiring. 

Q8: What is your secret pleasure TV show to indulge in?

The Voice. It’s the only reality/competition show I watch. 

Q9: Last question - what are your favorite workout shoes?

My current favorite running shoes are the Brooks Launch. One of my favorites at my local running store (St. Pete Running Company) recommended them to me. He told me I’d love them and he was not wrong. I use them for speed work and racing. I use Brooks Ghost or Glycerin (the 18s are the greatest) for recovery/easy runs.