When did you first get involved with Achilles Philadelphia?
During a run to a baseball game with Fishtown Beer Runners, I met this dude called Kinzey Lynch… The guy was offering beers in exchange for an extra ticket, which I happened to have… I had heard about Achilles before, but when I met him, I finally decided to give it a try next Saturday… I can honestly say it was one of the best booze-related decisions I’ve made in my life – wait, scratch that – top three booze-related decision

How did you find out about Achilles International?
Ah, I met this other guy called David N. April (low-key dude, the name might not sound familiar) that told me he ran with this group called Achilles, along with Rod Zilla and Meghan Sarbanis, which were (and still are) my personal heroes and the stuff of legends – to this day, I’m amazed there are no action figures of them –…

When did running become a part of your life?
I’ve been in and out of it since my teenage years (bwah, am I really that old?)… My parents always liked to run and I remember going for runs with them on the beach

What do you gain from running?
Running is a social exercise at this point of my life… I’ve been lucky to have made my social circle around it and it motivates me to have a healthier lifestyle if I want to keep hanging with such amazing people!

What is your favorite distance to run?
0.2mi, which is the distance from Suburban Station to the Cigna building… That mini-run is always full of the expectation of seeing the most amazing group of human beings I’ve had the pleasure to hang out with

Who/what is your biggest inspiration?
I’ve always loved seeing people running the last few feet/meters of a race… You can easily identify when it’s their “first” (race, marathon, etc.): they look up to the sky like saying “I really did it!!!”… I love seeing that, no matter how short, long, slow or fast, that personal accomplishment is worth the world for them and that makes me happy

What quality best describes your personality?
I have a shirt that I like to wear whenever I have a personal challenge, it says “No talent, all guts”… I might not be the most accomplished person in many things, but I will always leave my heart in everything I set myself to, specially when trying to help someone I love

What do you do for fun or a hobby in your spare time?
About two years ago Life put in my way a little pup who would be later known as Patas, and he changed my life… After him, I was convinced that I needed to pay forward all the happiness and love he had given me, so I try to help as much as I can other dogs that are waiting for a chance to fill someone’s life with unconditional Love

Do you have a favorite quote?
Yes! I read this quote first on “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Ernest Hemingway, and it has always defined what I try to do:
“No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as any manner of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man’s death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”
John Doone

What strength do you bring to the Achilles Philly chapter?
Donuts, I bring Donuts sometimes!

What motivates you to keep coming back to the chapter workouts?
Every Saturday morning, when we gather to start a workout I always take some time to look at everyone, hear their stories… Every time I tell myself that being a part of this group is not something I can take for granted: I need to earn the opportunity to be here, not by being faster or going longer, but by being a better human being in every aspect of my life

If you were speaking to a prospective volunteer or athlete and could only convey one thing about Achilles Philadelphia what would it be?
Achilles Philadelphia is about people helping people achieve their own goals, no matter how “small” or “big” they might seem… Whatever it is you are looking for, you will have the support of an amazing community of friends that will be there to walk, run, jump with you every step of the way!!!