Endurance Beyond Sport with Dr. Michele Kong скачать в хорошем качестве

Endurance Beyond Sport with Dr. Michele Kong

Dr. Michele Kong wears more hats than most of us can imagine—pediatric ICU physician-scientist, ultramarathoner and Ironman finisher, mom of two, and co-founder of KultureCity, a nonprofit leading the global movement for sensory inclusion and invisible disabilities. In this episode, we go beyond race times and training plans to explore what endurance really looks like in a life like hers. You’ll hear how Michele grew up in a small fishing village in Malaysia, killed a giant snake as a kid(!!), navigated immigration to the American South, and then had her world turned upside down when her oldest son, Abram, was diagnosed with autism and told he would “never amount to anything.” Instead of accepting that verdict, she and her husband chose a different story—one that ultimately led to KultureCity and a global movement toward true inclusion. We talk about: • Growing up on the island of Borneo and learning service from educator parents • Culture shock, Southern fried chicken, and funny ER language mishaps (“risen” = abscess!) • Abram’s autism diagnosis, why labels aren’t destiny, and how seeing one child clearly can change how you see the whole world • The birth and growth of KultureCity: sensory rooms, staff training, and rethinking “access” for people with invisible disabilities • How a single incident at an NBA arena helped bring KultureCity to national stages and stadiums • Why 1 in 4 people live with an invisible disability—and what that means for how we design our communities • Michele’s journey into endurance sports: from hating running to 25–30 marathons, 100-mile ultras, and an Ironman • Using running as a place to process grief, stress, and big life transitions • Training her way up from marathon to 50 miles to 100K to 100 miles, plus learning to swim for Ironman (including same-day flights for swim lessons!) • Saying “no” in order to show all the way up for what truly matters—family, friends, patients, and community This episode is for you if: • You love someone with an invisible disability (autism, PTSD, dementia, sensory processing challenges, etc.) • You’re curious what true inclusion actually looks like in practice • You’re an endurance athlete looking for a deeper “why” behind your miles • You’re in a hard season and need a story of hope, grit, and community Run for inclusion Michelle shares more about KultureCity’s Birmingham half marathon & 5K—an inclusive, flat, and fast race where many runners do their very first 5K or half. If the episode moves you, consider signing up, supporting a runner, or sharing the race with a friend: https://www.kulturecity.org/birmingham-rac... Follow KultureCity: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kulturecity/ Follow Mealvana Endurance: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/mealvana_endurance/ Newsletter → https://dub.sh/PzUzJ2L If this conversation resonates: • Subscribe to the channel for more stories at the intersection of endurance sports, community, and purpose • Rate & review the Mealvana Endurance Podcast wherever you listen • Share this episode with a friend, teammate, or family member who needs to hear Michelle’s story Thank you for listening—and for being part of a more inclusive endurance community. Timestamps Intro — today’s episode & guest tease — 00:00:00 Meet Dr. Michelle Kong & KultureCity — 00:01:20 Growing up in Malaysia (Borneo) & family — 00:02:52 Parents as educators; service roots — 00:03:19 Wildlife story: the cobra in the house — 00:04:32 Immigration journey, language & culture shock — 00:07:54 Abram’s autism diagnosis & mindset shift — 00:13:41 From personal story to KultureCity’s mission — 00:20:04 Building programs; impact-first funding — 00:22:25 Innovation: free Talker AAC in the app — 00:25:44 Cleveland incident & first NBA sensory room — 00:27:29 Stats & widespread need (1 in 4) — 00:29:49 Running origin: trail catharsis & first runs — 00:35:18 Boston Marathon & launching KC Fit with Tiki — 00:37:28 From 50 miles → 100K → 100 miles (ultra mindset) — 00:44:52 Fixing the swim: day trip coaching to DC — 00:47:24 Showing up for friends; kindness first — 00:49:56 What we can do daily; bring KC to venues — 00:54:42 KultureCity 5K/Half in downtown (Nov 22) — 00:55:41 Poem for her son (love letter) — 00:57:04 Outro & call to action — 00:59:47 Giveaway We’re giving away a limited number of 1-year free access ($100 value) to the Mealvana Endurance nutrition app (science-based fueling + simple meal planning). Sign up → https://mailchi.mp/58f0f438a3b3/suyio54v0m