Finding space for self-care in the middle of motherhood, military deployments, and constant life transitions isn’t easy. For Stephanie Platt—a mother of two, Fort Worth native, and longtime runner—putting on a pair of running shoes has always been her dedicated space for mental clarity, stress relief, and personal strength.
When Stephanie sat down with me for Your Story, Your Why, she opened up about how getting cut from middle school basketball led her straight to cross country, how she navigated parenting during military deployments through short neighborhood loops, and how a wild decision to run three marathons in five weeks transformed her as an athlete.
From Middle School Cross Country to Military Life
Stephanie’s running journey started at age 11, though not entirely by choice. After trying out for her middle school basketball team without success, she was quickly recruited by the cross country coach—a moment that sparked a lifelong relationship with the sport.
“I had some problems growing up, and running became my outlet for sure since I was 11,” Stephanie shares. “It just carried through with me the whole time.”
That outlet became even more vital when she married her husband, a military service member. Through young marriage, constant relocations, and long deployments, running served as her anchor. While living in Los Angeles with two small children during her husband’s deployment, Stephanie found creative ways to squeeze in her miles—including brief Skype video calls with her husband overseas so he could virtually keep an eye on the kids while she ran quick loops around the house.
The Solo Virtual 26.2 and a Wild Fall Marathon Debut
After years of running half marathons, Stephanie joined the Gatorade ambassador team during COVID-19, surrounded by ultra-runners and Ironman competitors. Inspired to challenge herself, she signed up for a virtual marathon. Without course support or crowds, her husband dropped her off along the Trinity River trail in Texas, where she completed all 26.2 miles completely on her own—discovering a level of mental toughness she didn’t know she possessed.
That solo effort paved the way for an extraordinary fall in 2021. Opportunity knocked, and Stephanie lined up for three major marathons in just five weeks:
- St. George Marathon (October 2021) — Her official in-person 26.2 debut.
- The Boston Marathon (One week later) — Earned through a Gatorade ambassador bib during the historic autumn running of the race.
- The New York City Marathon (Three weeks later) — Experiencing her favorite course and feeding off the legendary crowd support.
“My thinking at the time was, ‘I’m in shape, I don’t want to lose this training, let’s just keep it going,'” Stephanie laughs. “It was three marathons in five weeks, and that’s really where this whole journey took off.”
Running as Ultimate Self-Care
Today, Stephanie’s children are grown—her daughter Jada (25) played competitive club volleyball, and her son Jayden (21) plays Division I football as a tight end for the University of Arkansas. While her family excels across sports, running remains uniquely hers.
Now managing through a long-term bout of plantar fasciitis and focusing on recovery, Stephanie views running less about clock splits and more as an essential form of mental maintenance for women and mothers.
“My very first why is self-care. As moms, we don’t really do that—we’re so concerned with our children and our husbands, and we’re always last. Running helps me mentally more than physical. It’s just important to take care of yourself.” — Stephanie Platt
What We Cover in This Episode:
- The Early Days: Turning a middle school sports setback into a lifelong running habit.
- Military Life & Motherhood: Balancing running around deployments and raising two athletic children.
- The 5-Week Marathon Challenge: Going from a solo virtual 26.2 to finishing St. George, Boston, and New York in five weeks.
- Injury & Longevity: Dealing with severe plantar fasciitis, adapting training, and prioritizing true recovery.
True growth begins when you make taking care of yourself an absolute priority rather than an afterthought.
Whether you are balancing family life, navigating injury, or stepping up to a daunting new distance, Stephanie’s story is a powerful reminder to claim your own space and keep moving forward.
👉 Listen to Stephanie’s full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Marathon Journal
