Three years ago, I found myself in a pretty bad place.
I was in a relationship that had deteriorated—though I refused to acknowledge the reality of the situation for too long. So I was blindsided when my boyfriend at the time (and, uh, roommate at the time…I had moved into his apartment just three months prior) broke up with me one random Sunday morning. I was heartbroken and terrified.
Somehow, a running store came to my rescue — the same running store where I bought my first pair of “real” running shoes after going for my first two-block run a few months after moving to New York City.
I had applied for JackRabbit Sports‘ “Run for the Rabbit” marketing campaign on a whim. A Facebook post on the store’s page said they were looking for “runners who wanted to train for a marathon while also raising money for a cause that’s important to them.” Check and check.
Out of a field of more than 300 applicants, I was chosen.
At a time when I didn’t feel very special or lovable, JackRabbit saw something special — something lovable — in me.
Being a part of that campaign changed my life so profoundly.
I met amazing people, like Coach Cane.
I got to be in the store’s commercials, which felt pretty cool.
I learned all about running dos (take rest days!) and don’ts (secretly take a spin class on those coach-mandated rest days).
I had one of the best nights of my life at JackRabbit’s Upper East Side store.
I found a tremendous support system as I documented my training and fundraising for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America here on this little blog.
I created the I Heart Sweat brand, which was a shocking success. And I purchased my first trademark!
I raised $20,000 for CCFA.
I trained for my first marathon, and that race day was the best day of my life.
I was healthy.
At a time in my life when I felt so lost and so sad, and when I didn’t really want to accept that I needed help, JackRabbit saved me.
So now here I am, three years later.
I posted back in November about how I was feeling claustrophobic. I was having panic attacks and I couldn’t find the root of my problem on my own. I needed something, but I didn’t know what it was.
Then I got sick — again — and I was temporarily distracted from my overwhelming feelings of wanderlust.
I did OK being sick at first. December wasn’t terrible since I got some time off for the holidays, and January was so cold that it made being stuck in the warm bathroom kind of tolerable. By February, though, the old feelings of depression had returned, and in full force.
I felt that there was so much I couldn’t control. Without your health, you seem to have so little. I was sick, tired, stressed, angry.
Now here we are in the burgeoning springtime. As I’m slowly feeling better (most days, at least; I still spend more time in the bathroom than you probably do, and these night sweats just keeping popping up unexpectedly), I’m relishing the warmer days and the runs I get to take.
There’s so much in life I can’t control, and accepting that over the past few years has really helped me. I’m still obsessive about making the bed every morning, but beyond that I’m doing OK learning to manage my stress and roll with most of the punches. And, I’ve learned, there are some things you can control.
Today is my last day as editor in chief of Dance Spirit magazine.
I declared this my dream job when I was just 16 and made it my life goal to move to NYC someday to make it happen. I feel so deeply lucky that I was able to make my dream come true. But after seven years, it’s time to move on and try something new. It’s time to make new dreams.
On Monday — three years exactly since I announced I was a finalist in the Run for the Rabbit campaign — I will be starting a new job as the Digital & Editorial Manager at JackRabbit Sports.
We have a good history, me and JackRabbit.
Now we’re going to make a beautiful future together.
92 Responses
SO EXCITING!!! I can relate to it being time to create new dreams, i’m in the process of doing so myself.
Congratulations!
ahhh congrats! that’s amazing news! 🙂 hope you love every second of this new journey.
Congrats, Ali! Perhaps I’ll come creep around some Jack Rabbit stores when I’m in town in a few weeks (because I’m sure your desk would be right next to the asics and the gels). 🙂
Congrats on the job! On a side note, I went through and perved the break up story that you linked at the beginning…..and maybe this isn’t really for me to judge considering I just read about your life on the internet.
Brian >>>>>>>WAY Greater >>>>>> Abs. Obviously, you know that.
WORD UP! This is amazing news! I’m thrilled for you!!!! Can we please get a drink or go for a celebratory run some day? Yay!!!! Congrats!
Mazel Tov!
What an amazing story and the best of luck to you on your new journey!
my first time ever commenting — I love this update. What an exciting new chapter for you. Congrats, Ali!
That is super cool!!! Congrats!
CONGRATS! That sounds so exciting! Love that you made your 16 year old passions a job for so long, and now you are making your 20-something passions into a job! You are such an inspiration as always
Congratulations, Ali! What wonderful news. It sounds like Dance Spirit has been a wonderful place for you, but sometimes it’s just time to move on. That can be really hard to recognize, so good on you for making the move at the right moment for you. Best wishes for a bright future with JackRabbit! I can’t wait to hear all about it.
Oh my goodness! Congratulations! That is truly awesome.
So exciting! Happy for you Ali! This will be so so so good.
So exciting! Congratulations! Little jealous, I imagine this comes with some kind of employee discount? 🙂
Wow, what a great fit. Nicely done!
Such great news! I love Jack Rabbit. Change is good, best of luck!
So happy for you!! Congrats and hugs <3
Congratulations! I love Jackrabbit, too!
Life moves in mysterious ways! May this next step in your journey bring you SO much happiness!
Wow, this is amazing! It’s crazy where life can take you without you planning it, isn’t it?!
Wow! Congratulations! As a former dancer turned runner, this sounds like such a perfect transition! Best of luck!
Sounds incredible – you are a perfect fit! Congratulations!
You go girl! Have fun with this new opportunity, sounds like a great fit !
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WOW!!! I am so Proud of you your Amazing, Strong and you will make it through any and all of life’s challenges Congratulation Sweetie and good luck XOXOX
Congrats Ali, this made me smile
Omg!!!!! So excited for you!!!! Seems like a 100% perfect match (like Brian!!!) and such a fun thing to have ahead!!! Congratulations and many successes ahead!!
Congratulations on the exciting new position. Change is a good thing. You will be reinvigorated by this new job.
Awesome, congratulations! Sounds like it will be a fun move!
Way to go, Ali!! Congratulations to you! And I just have to throw in there that I probably spend as much (maybe more) time in the bathroom as you 😉
How exciting! Congrats Ali!
Congrats lady! I hope this opens a door of wonderful things for you!
So very proud of you Alison! Can’t wait to see where this leads you.
Congrats!!!! Best of luck with the new gig – so exciting 🙂 I’ve loved reading about your journey so I’m excited to follow this new phase! xox Send you all of the healthy vibes!!!
Congratulations! Wishing you all the best in your new endeavor.
What great news! Maybe a change in seasons and a change of scenery is just what your body and mind need. Best of luck to you!
Yay!!!! Over the moon happy for you!!!! Congrats!!
Congrats!
Your blog is my favorite.
Huge congrats, Ali. It sounds like this was a good step for you—I’m psyched that things are looking good for you!
You don’t know me, I have never commented before, but have followed your journey from Jack Rabbit through the marathon and every blog since and I literally have tears of JOY in my eyes for you! CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!!!!
CONGRATS! Things seem to be looking up (AMEN SISTA!)
Omg Ali!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! This is awesome news. I can 100% reflect your love of JR (and it’s saving powers at the best times…how does it do it!?), so this is super exciting! It’s so perfect, congrats girl.
Congratulations Ali!! This sounds awesome for you:)
but how will i get broadway updates on the latest and greatest?!?!?!!!
(but really, in all seriousness, congrats!!! so happy for you and your next role! know you’ll rock it!! congrats!)
Mazel, Ali!!! You are such an inspiration for every single one of your readers, myself included.
A little less than a year ago, I took a leap and left my career as an attorney (one that I had spent years and lots of $$$ pursuing) to take a leap (and a gigantic pay cut) in a new career…and I couldn’t be happier.
I can’t wait to hear updates and see all the blooms of your new adventure…so wonderful 🙂
Congratulations, it sounds like a great job.
Congratulations!!!!
Awesome! Congratulations on the new job!
Oh Ali this is fantastic news! Congratulations on the new job and also so many hugs for having the guts to leave Dance Spirit. Leaving somewhere you’ve been for a long time, where you’re comfortable and ‘safe’ is always incredibly gutsy!
Now you HAVE to keep on blogging.
Ahhh I had a similar break up maybe like 4 or 5 years ago now? At the time I really thought I was gonna die, but isn’t it funny the way life kicks some folks out to make room for cooler ones?
Ali, I love to read your posts. I am sorry about your recent break up. He will regret it because you are a beautiful, smart, funny, sweet woman and they are hard to come by. Keep it up girl!
The breakup was three years ago, so I’m OK 🙂 Hehe. Thank you!
WHOA! You are awesome, Ali! CONGRATS!
I’m SO excited for you!!! Definitely a perfect fit. Change is good my friend 🙂 it brings fantastic surprises along the way.
Congrats Ali! You will be amazing and will continue to inspire people wherever you go! Xo
Ahhhhh, this is SO COOL! I am thoroughly impressed and I think it sounds like a perfect fit for you. Congrats!!!
That’s really amazing! Can’t wait to hear more about this. Congratulations!!
Ali this is so great! I just gasped out loud and slapped my desk and said YAY and scared my fiancé, haha! I’m so, so happy for you. This sounds so perfect and like it will be such a huge, positive change. Hope to hear more about it soon! 🙂
Exciting news! Congrats and best wishes to you!
Hello! I’ve been a silent reader of your blog for some time now and I just wanted say how much you inspire me.
I know you probably read or hear these words often but I truly and sincerely hope you find relief soon and beat that terrible illness. I think it’s amazing how you persevere and try to always look at the good in your life despite what your body is doing.
Keep making goals 🙂 its what will keep you going.
And congratulations on the new job!!
Congratulations!!!! That sounds like the perfect for for you!!! Based on reading your blog, I know you will be amazing! I love so much about your writing, honesty and hope you approach blogging. Thank you for sharing your journey!
Oops …*job for you *how you approach blogging
Congratulations! Very happy for you!
Congrats!!!
awwwwww! congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s great! Congratulations. I love JackRabbit.
Whoa, congrats! Sounds like a really cool job, and totally perfect for you. Very happy for you (and surprised!).
Sooo excited for you building your future! Congratulations and enjoy.every.moment!!
So happy for you!!!
Congratulations, Ali!!!! Best of luck with your new job. 🙂
Chase your dreams! You’re an inspiration!
How very exciting! Congratulations and best of luck with this next step in your career and life. Awesome things on the horizon for you!
Congratulations and best of luck to you!
Some pretty awesome things have happened for you in the past few years! Congrats!
Congrats! You deserve some good news!
How exciting! Congratulations on the new job!
This my (virtual) friend is music to my ears. So excited for you. I have been thinking long and hard about combining my “day job” and my love of running somehow. Congrats and best of luck working for the man….um…..i mean er, rabbit?! 🙂
Congratulations, Ali!
This sounds like the perfect transition for you. That’s awesome, congratulations!
Congratulations!!! Exciting!! I hope this change will also help you feel better!
congrats ali!
Ah, this is so great to hear, Ali! It has been fun to follow your journey and root you in as you overcome challenges. And now pretty damn inspiring that you’ve moved from one dream job onto the next. Congrats chica!
Congratulations Ali! It’s so funny how life works out…you never know when a new door opens for an opportunity!
congratulations ali!
You seem like SUCH a hard worker and go getter — this is going to be great for you!
That’s great! Keep following your dreams, even if they change. Good for you!!!
Congrats on the new job! I hope this next step in your life is life-giving and restorative in so many ways for you!
<3 <3 <3 Best of luck, my dear friend. So excited for you!
How exciting! Congratulations!