Magna’s Ultramarathon Runner: Secret of Getting in Shape

The answer: It goes beyond personal challenges. It’s about inspiring those around me, especially my children. My commitment to ultramarathon training and competitions has taught me lessons that carry over into my role as the team leader of the tooling department at a Magna division in Santo Antonio da Patrulha, Brazil.

The greatest insight as I’ve logged countless miles in the past 14 years: You don’t need great shoes. You need a great support group.

I don’t run by myself in a race or at work. There is a collaborative team behind me with a plan and a Go-Forward strategy, whether we’re striving to out-effort the competition in an extreme race or the industry. Together, we think big and never settle. When I ran out of water during the Badwater race and realized I was by myself for a time in the unbearable heat, I thought of all the people who support me, including my Magna colleagues – and I kept going.

Personal commitment counts, too. I train diligently for the heat and the hills, even working out in a sauna to prepare for the grueling Badwater environment. I pay attention to my diet, avoiding sugar and sweets. While I’m in the best shape of my life, pumped, primed and ready to power through competitions, this wasn’t always the case.

In my late 20s, I was sedentary and a bit overweight. My diet consisted of a lot of candy, soda pop and pizza. I didn’t own a pair of running shoes. I couldn’t even run two miles. Everything changed when my daughter Thalyne, who was nine at the time, asked me to start running with her. She was a natural, with a shot at greatness, her coaches said. But she gave it up at 15, telling me, “Running is your dream.”

Today, I’m obsessed with performance. I own more than 10 pairs of high-tech running shoes, smart watches with GPS, special socks and thermal gear. I’m getting government funding and recognition for my races. I engage and encourage my local community in Brazil as a sports ambassador, inspiring everyone from toddlers to senior citizens in a volunteer running group.

My New Year’s advice: Don’t wait for tomorrow. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Make time for your health. Start with walking, then try running for 30 seconds. Respect your limits. But remember, as I have learned, it’s never too late for your dreams.

How will you get fit in the New Year?