Season 2 Episode 11 of the Running for Beginners podcast from the 22resolutionists, hosted by me Mike Fleming.

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Can running really improve your mental health—and your relationships? In this episode of the Running for Beginners podcast, host Mike sits down with Jennifer Parrella, MS, LPC, LCMHC, LCPC, NCC, a licensed therapist with over 30 years of clinical experience, to explore the powerful intersection of mental health, relationships, and running.

Jennifer is the founder of Decoding Relationships, an online counseling practice serving individuals, couples, youth, and families across Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. She specializes in anxiety, trauma, communication, conflict, infidelity, sex therapy, and relationship counseling—and she’s also a marathoner and ultramarathon runner.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• The mental health benefits of running from a therapist’s perspective
• How movement supports emotional regulation and stress management
• Why running can help—but is not a replacement for therapy
• The impact of anxiety and emotional dysregulation on relationships
• When runners should consider professional mental health support
• How endurance sports mirror healthy communication and relationships

Mike is also an Ambassador for Still I Run, a mental health support community working to end the stigma around mental illness through running and connection.

Whether you’re a runner struggling with anxiety, stress, or relationships—or simply curious about how movement affects mental health—this episode offers grounded, professional insight you can trust.

Connect w/Jennifer here:

WEBSITE: www.decodingrelationships.com

EMAIL: jparrella@decodingrelationships.net

PODCAST: Decoding Relationships w/ Jen Parrella

TIKTOK: Therapy with Jen

YOUTUBE: Therapy with Jen

Resources & Links:

• Decoding Relationships: Decoding Relationships by Jennifer Parrella
• Still I Run: https://stillirun.org
• St. Jude Childrens Hospital: http://heroes.stjude.org/RunningforBeginners

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🎧 Listen to the full episode of Running for Beginners on Patreon – featuring Jennifer Parrella, and discover how running might improve your mental health and relationships.

The video interview was conducted using Riverside.fm a website/app for creators everywhere. Check them out here:  https://riverside.sjv.io/2aoeLM

I also have a listener discount code for Rone Super Charged Honey Packets at ronenutrition.com as well as Caffeine Bullet at Caffeinebullet.com for 20% off your cart purchase. Just use the code RUNWITHMIKE or RUNNING4BEGINNERS at the respective check outs. [disclaimer, i do receive a commission from any sales; even on Riverside]

Any videos of my interviews will be posted on Patreon@Running4Beginners. Thanks for listening; I hope you can find value in the podcast. If you do enjoy, I hope you follow us on Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify or your favorite podcast service, give us a rating and some comments and of course hit the subscribe button.