It’s Running — So what?

Built on Friendship. Fueled by Movement.

States Run Club was born on a freezing winter morning in downtown Kansas City, 2022. I was tired of logging miles alone. Tired of the silence, the wind tunnels between buildings, and the way winter makes every run feel a little heavier. So I did what any slightly stir-crazy runner would do—I posted my run schedule online and just said: “Come run with me.”

No fancy branding. No big plan. Just an open invite and a stubborn belief that running shouldn't be a solo sport.

The first few weeks? Crickets. But I kept showing up. And eventually, one person came. Then another. Then a few more. By spring, something had started—a rhythm, a culture, a crew. And within a year, what began as a solo act turned into a community with partnerships from brands like New Balance, REI, Lululemon, Garmin, and others I used to only dream about.

But here’s the thing: it’s never been about the logos or the mileage. Not for a second. This club was never built to be fast or flashy—it was built so no one had to run alone. Every step we take together reminds me that the real win isn’t pace or distance—it’s people. It’s always been the people.

Why I Run

Running didn’t come easy for me. After some serious heart complications, the doctors handed me a long list of limits. “Don’t push your heart too hard,” they said. But here’s the thing—I don’t really do limits.

I got curious. I dug into heart rate training and started learning what was possible with my condition—not in spite of it. I stopped chasing someone else's pace and started owning mine. And that changed everything.

Running at my pace unlocked long distances I was told I’d never see. And now? It’s said I’m the youngest runner with an ICD pacemaker to complete a World Major Marathon. I crossed the finish line at the NYC Marathon with New Balance at 26 years old.

I’m proud of that—but I’m even more excited for what’s ahead. Because this story isn’t about beating the odds. It’s about rewriting them.

What States Run Club Stands For

At States Run Club, we believe running with friends is better.

We are not chasing podiums (but it does feel good)—we are chasing presence. We care way more about becoming better humans than better runners. And that starts with showing up. Not perfectly. Just honestly. The world needs more love, might as well start with loving yourself a

When you join a group run, we want you to feel like you belong. No performance pressure, no cliques, no prerequisites. Just an open, lively, all-types-welcome kind of vibe. We’re big on 1:1 mentorship, friendships that go beyond the miles, and the kind of cheering that echoes off the pavement and into real life.

This is everyone’s club. We’re only as strong as the people who show up. So we invest in them.

How We Run

There’s no secret formula here. No clipboard coach barking intervals. Just people. Showing up. Moving forward together.

I work a 9-5, but from 5-9 I’m out there with Camille—my wife and favorite running partner—and whoever else wants to join. I don’t run for speed. I run for joy. And if the joy fades, I slow down until I find it again.

We don’t care if you’ve run 100 miles or none. If we spot you on the sidewalk, at a bar, or grabbing coffee and you look like you might own a pair of sneakers—we’ll probably invite you to run with us. That’s how this thing keeps growing: one real connection at a time.

Running with Heart

Some people chase PRs. Me? I chase stories—the ones where someone was told they couldn’t run, and then they laced up anyway. That’s the real win. That’s the kind of stuff that gets me out of bed.

States Run Club isn’t elite because we’re fast. We’re the best because we show up—for each other, for ourselves, and for anyone bold enough to try. Our partnerships with Lululemon, New Balance, Garmin, and others didn’t come from a podium—they came from passion, consistency, and community that actually means something.

We believe every runner—no matter their pace, their experience, or how many times they’ve been knocked down—has something to bring to the table. You don’t need a stopwatch. You just need a little heart.

Come Join Me

If you’re curious, just show up. That’s the first step.

We host group runs regularly (every week) and share everything at statesrunclub.com and @StatesRunClub on social.

You don’t need to be fast. You don’t need to go far. Just come as you are. Because when you care more about the person running than the run itself, you realize running was never really about the run.

Cheers,