Through our partnership with HOKA ONE ONE, we are excited to bring you this conversation with Magda Boulet. Be sure to also check out their video interview here.
Magda Boulet, wears many hats throughout her day. She’s VP of Innovation at GU Energy labs, a professional Ultra Runner for HOKA ONE ONE, Coach in her running community, and most importantly, she’s a mom of a teenager.
Tell us about yourself, Magda.
I grew up in Poland and immigrated to the US when I was 18, and somehow landed in the most beautiful state in the United States, sunny California. I was sworn in as a US Citizen on September 11, 2001. I discovered running as a high schooler and went on to compete as a track athlete in college at UC Berkeley. Many years later I qualified for the US Olympic team in the Marathon in 2008, and also competed in the World Cross Country championships twice. I started my Ultra career in 2013 and have been running on the trails ever since. I call Oakland, CA my home now.
How did you get into running?
Growing up I was a swimmer, but when I came to the US one of my friends in high school encouraged me to join the track team. I needed something to do once the swimming season ended so I didn’t hesitate to try something new. I was immediately hooked. I loved not only the freedom to be able to run wherever and whenever I wanted, but also loved to socialize and make new friends. Running is a sport that tends to reward the hardest working among us. One must develop aerobic capacity slowly over time. There are no shortcuts and perseverance is essential to success. I’ve been fortunate to travel the world to race. I’ve ran everything from a road mile to hundred-mile races in the Sahara Desert, and just about every other type of race in between. I’ve represented my country, the United State of America in the World XC championships, and in the Olympics, but most importantly, I’ve made lifelong friends every step of the way.
Why is moving everyday important to you?
Movement means so much to me. Of course, I love to run and train for big races, but more importantly I know the importance of a daily walk, especially in nature. I know it improves my mood, reduces my stress level and helps me sleep better. Getting some good blood flow to the brain helps me think better and stay on task when I have a long day at work. I just feel good when I’m able to move and there is something in me that just compels me to move all the time. I love discovering my mental and physical limits and breaking down my own barriers.
How does moving help you in your many roles? (parenting, partnerships, career, etc.)
Movement clears my head and sets the tone for my entire day. At work, I have a standing desk, and anytime I have a meeting with someone, I try to do walking meetings outside instead of sitting in an office. I find that it helps us think and communicate on a much higher level when we’re moving and fosters a new level of creativity. I never regret a walking meeting. At home, I become a better human to be around when I make time to run, especially early in the morning. I find that I have more patience for my family, I lead with kindness and find myself more empathetic. I look for any opportunities to walk, hike, or run with my family. It really gives us a chance to connect with nature and with each other in a way that you just can’t while sitting on the couch.
How do you encourage others to keep moving?
I am not only the instigator a lot of times, I’m the one who says yes to almost anything that involves movement. I like to create challenges at work or carve out a specific time each week for a physical activity. I encourage my coworkers to walk with me all the time if they want to talk to me. But I also have a lot of ambitious friends who like to set up challenges for us all over the world, from 200 mile relays in the desert, to running all the way around Lake Tahoe without stopping, to climbing the highest volcano in the world, I say yes to way more things than I probably should.
What is Running for a Better Oakland?
Running for a Better Oakland (RBO) is a local organization that encourages Oakland students to develop healthy lifestyles through running. There are so many great things about this program, from the health benefits of just getting kids into physical activity to giving kids structure and confidence building that can improve other parts of their lives. I’ve had the pleasure of coming out to run with the kids on some of their training runs and I am just so inspired by the strong and supportive community they’ve established. I love this program.
Anything else you’d like to share?
What running has taught me: Running has taught me to be brave and break down my own barriers. Running has taught me to persevere. But what does Perseverance Mean? To me it’s not just effort. It’s not just trying your best. It’s refusing to give up, even when there are obstacles in your way. It’s staying focused on your goals and driving toward them when things don’t go as well as planned. To persevere is to continue working when the goal is a very long way in the future. Most goals that are worth chasing after taking many months or many years to achieve. And remember, it has been said that “a river cuts through rock not because of its power, but because of its perseverance.”
Magada is featured wearing the Bondi 7.
