1 00:00:00,630 --> 00:00:03,000 Cole Cook: I can go back since I was 16, she took 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:05,160 Cole Cook: me on the trip to South Africa to really just 3 00:00:05,160 --> 00:00:08,130 Cole Cook: open up my eyes and bring me different perspectives. FIFA 4 00:00:08,130 --> 00:00:11,520 Cole Cook: World Cup was happening during that moment and I would 5 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:15,000 Cole Cook: say about five miles, you could see the stadium. They 6 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:18,630 Cole Cook: had plumbing and they just built everything brand new, but 7 00:00:18,630 --> 00:00:20,970 Cole Cook: we were at a village that was for 500 people, 8 00:00:21,300 --> 00:00:24,239 Cole Cook: and they had a little faucet, and they were just 9 00:00:24,239 --> 00:00:27,360 Cole Cook: happy to get bottles of water and it was just 10 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:30,120 Cole Cook: so eye- opening, especially at 16, to really see it 11 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:33,930 Cole Cook: and take it all in. It was life- changing. So 12 00:00:33,930 --> 00:00:37,169 Cole Cook: again, at that moment, any step I can take, any 13 00:00:37,170 --> 00:00:39,750 Cole Cook: mile I can run, I will for KCA. 14 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:46,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey everybody and welcome to Set the Pace, the official 15 00:00:46,830 --> 00:00:51,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: podcast of New York Roadrunners, presented by Peloton. I am 16 00:00:51,060 --> 00:00:55,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: your solo host for today, Rob Simmelkjaer, the CEO of New 17 00:00:55,350 --> 00:00:58,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Roadrunners. My partner Bex, we miss her. She's on 18 00:00:58,890 --> 00:01:02,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: a well- deserved vacation, so we'll get her back next 19 00:01:02,460 --> 00:01:05,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: week. Hope she's having a great time wherever she is. 20 00:01:06,300 --> 00:01:09,450 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hope everybody's doing really well out there as we take 21 00:01:09,450 --> 00:01:14,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: closer and closer to that big day, Sunday, November 2nd, 22 00:01:14,100 --> 00:01:17,819 Rob Simmelkjaer: the TCS New York City Marathon. And for some of us 23 00:01:17,819 --> 00:01:21,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: the big day's even closer than November 2nd. I sit 24 00:01:21,300 --> 00:01:25,259 Rob Simmelkjaer: here, oh my gosh, now inside of two weeks of 25 00:01:25,260 --> 00:01:27,959 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, which many of you 26 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:30,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: know I am running for the first time, and I 27 00:01:30,810 --> 00:01:33,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: woke up this morning, we tape these on Tuesday, and 28 00:01:34,020 --> 00:01:37,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: had that realization that, oh my gosh, this is happening. 29 00:01:37,350 --> 00:01:40,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: We're inside of two weeks. I am enjoying the taper 30 00:01:40,740 --> 00:01:45,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: period immensely. There is nothing that will make a 15- 31 00:01:45,990 --> 00:01:50,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: mile run feel short, other than running 22 the week 32 00:01:50,730 --> 00:01:53,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: before. And that's what I did this past weekend was 33 00:01:53,850 --> 00:01:58,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: run 15 as part of my taper. It felt amazing. 34 00:01:58,110 --> 00:02:00,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: I ran on the West Side Highway. The weather was 35 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:04,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: beautiful, especially on Saturday, and so people talk about taper 36 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:08,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: tantrums. That's not a problem I have. I love the 37 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:11,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: taper. It makes me so happy to know that the 38 00:02:11,130 --> 00:02:13,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: work's been put in, we're starting to ease back on 39 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:16,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: the mileage now, and starting to get that body rested 40 00:02:16,530 --> 00:02:19,679 Rob Simmelkjaer: and ready for October 12th, the Bank of America Chicago 41 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:22,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon. I've heard from a lot of you who are 42 00:02:22,500 --> 00:02:25,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: going to be out there in Chicago, a lot of 43 00:02:25,050 --> 00:02:27,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Roadrunners members are going to be out running 44 00:02:27,810 --> 00:02:30,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: Chicago. Please, if you're out there and you see me 45 00:02:30,990 --> 00:02:33,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: out there on the street or wherever, say hello. Love 46 00:02:33,540 --> 00:02:37,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: to meet our listeners and our members in person. Send 47 00:02:37,590 --> 00:02:40,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: me a note on Instagram, whatever, I'll wish you luck, 48 00:02:40,410 --> 00:02:43,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: and hope everybody who's doing that is feeling good and 49 00:02:43,230 --> 00:02:46,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: getting ready. And then obviously those in the New York 50 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:49,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: training block still have a ways to go, but hope 51 00:02:49,050 --> 00:02:51,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're all having a great, great time. Well, we got 52 00:02:51,840 --> 00:02:54,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: a great, great show for you today. We've got an 53 00:02:54,900 --> 00:02:59,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: incredible person, who is not just the brother of an all- 54 00:02:59,850 --> 00:03:03,359 Rob Simmelkjaer: time superstar, Alicia Keys, but also is doing an amazing 55 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:06,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: job himself in raising money this year as he runs 56 00:03:06,930 --> 00:03:10,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: the TCS New York City Marathon for a cause that 57 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:12,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: is really one that everyone should know about, Keep a 58 00:03:12,630 --> 00:03:15,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: Child Alive, a non- profit started by Alicia Keys in 59 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:22,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: 2003. Her brother, Cole Cook, who is quite accomplished in 60 00:03:22,350 --> 00:03:25,169 Rob Simmelkjaer: his own right, a filmmaker and a runner, will join 61 00:03:25,169 --> 00:03:27,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: us a little bit later on to talk about his 62 00:03:27,270 --> 00:03:30,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: run and the cause for which he is running, so 63 00:03:30,180 --> 00:03:33,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: stay tuned for that. Meanwhile, here in New York, we've 64 00:03:33,570 --> 00:03:36,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: got some news coming out today for New York Roadrunners. 65 00:03:36,780 --> 00:03:40,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: Very exciting that this morning here on Tuesday, and you'll 66 00:03:40,230 --> 00:03:44,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: hear this on Thursday, we announced our economic impact study. 67 00:03:44,340 --> 00:03:47,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: This is something that we haven't done actually in five 68 00:03:47,250 --> 00:03:50,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: years, and this is a study we do to really measure 69 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:55,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: the impact that everything New York Roadrunners has on the 70 00:03:55,290 --> 00:03:58,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York City economy. So, not just the marathon, but 71 00:03:58,650 --> 00:04:00,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: all of our races, everything we do all year, what 72 00:04:00,870 --> 00:04:03,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: kind of impact does that have on New York City? 73 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:08,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: And we announced this week that New York Roadrunners' operations 74 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:14,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: has an almost $ 1 billion positive impact on the economy 75 00:04:14,670 --> 00:04:17,370 Rob Simmelkjaer: of New York City, which is incredible. That is including 76 00:04:17,790 --> 00:04:21,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: all of the jobs that we create, the money that 77 00:04:21,150 --> 00:04:24,029 Rob Simmelkjaer: is brought in around the marathon and all of our 78 00:04:24,029 --> 00:04:27,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: other events, and this is money that's coming into New 79 00:04:27,210 --> 00:04:30,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: York City from outside of the city. So, we're not counting 80 00:04:30,990 --> 00:04:34,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: the dollars that are spent by New Yorkers on running 81 00:04:34,890 --> 00:04:37,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: the marathon or other races. This is coming from around 82 00:04:37,950 --> 00:04:40,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: the world. So it won't surprise you to hear over 83 00:04:40,860 --> 00:04:45,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: 600 million of that nearly $ 1 billion of impact is the 84 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:49,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: TCS New York City Marathon. We all know that people 85 00:04:49,110 --> 00:04:53,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: from around the globe come to New York to experience 86 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:56,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: the incredible day that is the best day of the 87 00:04:56,010 --> 00:04:58,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: year in New York, the TCS New York City Marathon. 88 00:04:58,470 --> 00:05:01,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: But it is hotel rooms, it is restaurants, it is 89 00:05:01,620 --> 00:05:06,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: people riding mass transit and spending money on all kinds 90 00:05:06,300 --> 00:05:09,540 Rob Simmelkjaer: of souvenirs. So, we're very, very proud of that. New 91 00:05:09,540 --> 00:05:12,779 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Roadrunners, we're a non- profit, and our mission, of 92 00:05:12,779 --> 00:05:16,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: course, is to create healthier lives and stronger communities through 93 00:05:16,110 --> 00:05:20,159 Rob Simmelkjaer: the transformative power of running. And economic impact is one 94 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:23,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: of the ways that we do create stronger communities here 95 00:05:23,310 --> 00:05:25,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: in New York City, because we're able to bring in 96 00:05:25,890 --> 00:05:30,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: so much economic activity into this city. And of course, 97 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:33,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: we're now going into that period in the fall, headed 98 00:05:33,300 --> 00:05:36,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: toward November 2nd, where that impact is at its greatest. 99 00:05:36,420 --> 00:05:39,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: So I'm very excited. You can read more about this 100 00:05:39,210 --> 00:05:42,599 Rob Simmelkjaer: at Nyrr. org to hear more about it. We also, 101 00:05:42,630 --> 00:05:45,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: by the way, released our overall impact report, which we 102 00:05:45,750 --> 00:05:49,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: do every year, which showed the growth that we're seeing 103 00:05:49,140 --> 00:05:51,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: in running and running here in New York, and with 104 00:05:51,060 --> 00:05:53,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Roadrunners year over year. We had a 7% 105 00:05:54,390 --> 00:05:58,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: increase actually in the number of running sessions that we 106 00:05:58,770 --> 00:06:00,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: had, the number of runners that we had over the 107 00:06:00,330 --> 00:06:04,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: last year. So, running continues to grow, Roadrunners continues to 108 00:06:04,020 --> 00:06:06,539 Rob Simmelkjaer: grow, we couldn't do that without you, and so please 109 00:06:06,540 --> 00:06:10,589 Rob Simmelkjaer: check all that out at Nyrr. org. Well, we didn't 110 00:06:10,589 --> 00:06:12,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: have any big races in New York this week, but 111 00:06:12,870 --> 00:06:16,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: we did have a group of about 240 runners participate 112 00:06:16,620 --> 00:06:20,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: in this year's first New York Roadrunners Cross- Country Series 113 00:06:20,820 --> 00:06:23,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: event. It was a beautiful day up in Van Cortlandt 114 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:27,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: Park and the winners that day, Megan Strauss on the 115 00:06:27,420 --> 00:06:30,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: women's side with a time of 22 minutes and 11 116 00:06:30,210 --> 00:06:33,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: seconds from Manhattan Track Club. The non- binary winner was 117 00:06:33,390 --> 00:06:37,109 Rob Simmelkjaer: Mathia Griffith 29:47, and on the men's side it was 118 00:06:37,110 --> 00:06:43,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: Adam Massman 17:50. That's a 5K running through the very steep 119 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:46,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: hills of Van Cortlandt Park. So congrats to everybody who 120 00:06:46,380 --> 00:06:49,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: came out to run on this past weekend. We've got 121 00:06:49,950 --> 00:06:52,020 Rob Simmelkjaer: still a few more of those cross- country events coming 122 00:06:52,020 --> 00:06:55,229 Rob Simmelkjaer: up this fall. I recommend them and they're really, really 123 00:06:55,230 --> 00:06:58,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: fun to get out there and run on that famous cross- 124 00:06:58,170 --> 00:07:02,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: country track. Coming up on today's show, Keep a Child 125 00:07:02,190 --> 00:07:06,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: Alive is a non- profit started by the singer- songwriter 126 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:10,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: Alicia Keys in 2003, in response to the devastation of 127 00:07:10,830 --> 00:07:14,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: HIV AIDS and that epidemic in Africa, in order to 128 00:07:14,940 --> 00:07:20,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: provide children and families life- saving care. 21 years later, 129 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:23,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: Keep a Child Alive has expanded its mission and counts 130 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:26,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: the TCS New York City Marathon as one of its 131 00:07:26,430 --> 00:07:31,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: critical fundraisers. Running in support of KCA this year is 132 00:07:31,170 --> 00:07:34,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: Alicia's brother, filmmaker Cole Cook. Cole will be joining us 133 00:07:34,890 --> 00:07:38,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: on the show today, along with KCA's executive director, a 134 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:42,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: passionate runner himself, Antonio Ruiz Jimenez. Then a little later 135 00:07:42,930 --> 00:07:45,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: on, today's featured member will be someone who's brand new 136 00:07:45,960 --> 00:07:49,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: to running but not afraid to tackle the TCS New 137 00:07:49,590 --> 00:07:53,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: York City Marathon in her fairly new running career, New 138 00:07:53,580 --> 00:07:57,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: York Roadrunners member Anna Dina Cruz will join Meb to 139 00:07:57,450 --> 00:08:00,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: tell us what it feels like to face 26. 2 140 00:08:00,510 --> 00:08:04,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: miles as a shiny new runner. And then finally, Meb 141 00:08:04,530 --> 00:08:07,290 Rob Simmelkjaer: will come back with our mile by mile countdown to 142 00:08:07,290 --> 00:08:11,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: this year's TCS New York City Marathon. And today Meb is 143 00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:14,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: going to be up in the Bronx with miles 19, 144 00:08:14,670 --> 00:08:19,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: 20 and 21. Stay tuned for that. Here's a nutrition tip 145 00:08:19,050 --> 00:08:22,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: from the experts at Cook Unity. Muscle recovery starts on 146 00:08:22,980 --> 00:08:26,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: your plate. After a long run stick with lean protein 147 00:08:26,940 --> 00:08:30,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: and slow digesting carbs like quinoa. But instead of cooking, 148 00:08:31,230 --> 00:08:34,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: take 50% off Cook Unity's ready to eat meals from 149 00:08:34,740 --> 00:08:40,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: top chefs. Unlock your offer at Cookunity. com/ NYRR. Today 150 00:08:40,740 --> 00:08:43,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: we are joined by two guests who bring both personal 151 00:08:43,710 --> 00:08:46,679 Rob Simmelkjaer: passion and global impact to the New York City Marathon. 152 00:08:46,860 --> 00:08:50,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: Cole Cook is a New York based filmmaker and entrepreneur, 153 00:08:50,700 --> 00:08:54,449 Rob Simmelkjaer: and the younger brother of Alicia Keys. This year, Cole 154 00:08:54,450 --> 00:08:57,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: is running the TCS New York City Marathon in support 155 00:08:57,240 --> 00:09:01,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: of Keep a Child Alive, a nonprofit that Alicia co- 156 00:09:01,530 --> 00:09:06,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: founded in 2003 to provide critical healthcare support for children 157 00:09:06,780 --> 00:09:11,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: and families facing HIV and AIDS, as well as poverty. 158 00:09:11,370 --> 00:09:14,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: Joining Cole on the show today is Antonio Ruiz Jimenez 159 00:09:14,940 --> 00:09:19,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: Jr., an entrepreneur and philanthropist who has served as KCA 160 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:23,939 Rob Simmelkjaer: CEO since 2015. Antonio has led the organization's growth into 161 00:09:23,940 --> 00:09:29,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: education, food security, and emergency relief programs, and has built 162 00:09:29,010 --> 00:09:33,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: running via team KCA into an integral part of Keep 163 00:09:33,750 --> 00:09:38,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: a Child Alive's fundraising efforts. Cole and Antonio, great to 164 00:09:38,790 --> 00:09:40,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: have you both on Set the Pace. Welcome. 165 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:42,390 Cole Cook: Thanks for having us. Good morning. 166 00:09:42,870 --> 00:09:46,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: Cole, I'll start with you. This is not your first New 167 00:09:46,410 --> 00:09:49,319 Rob Simmelkjaer: York City Marathon. You've done this a couple of times 168 00:09:49,559 --> 00:09:53,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: before. Is this your first time running in support of KCA? 169 00:09:53,850 --> 00:09:55,920 Cole Cook: No, this is not my first rodeo with them. This is 170 00:09:56,370 --> 00:10:00,090 Cole Cook: now my fourth, I only run for KCA pretty much 171 00:10:00,390 --> 00:10:03,660 Cole Cook: they're my family. So this will be my... This is a 172 00:10:03,660 --> 00:10:06,780 Cole Cook: milestone moment for me. I'll be hitting my 100th mile 173 00:10:07,380 --> 00:10:10,200 Cole Cook: for the New York City Marathons with KCA this year. 174 00:10:10,740 --> 00:10:15,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: Amazing. Amazing. And talk about that, and obviously there's a connection 175 00:10:15,150 --> 00:10:19,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: with your sister, Alicia Keys. She calls you her big 176 00:10:19,500 --> 00:10:21,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: little brother, which I love that nickname that she gives 177 00:10:21,870 --> 00:10:26,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: you. Talk about the role that she's played in your 178 00:10:26,130 --> 00:10:30,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: life, and why you've decided to log all these miles 179 00:10:30,150 --> 00:10:31,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: in support of this great organization. 180 00:10:32,220 --> 00:10:35,100 Cole Cook: Oh my gosh, that's funny that it's out there. Yeah, 181 00:10:35,100 --> 00:10:38,010 Cole Cook: I'm her big little brother and she's my little big 182 00:10:38,010 --> 00:10:42,599 Cole Cook: sister. So, it's like I'm the one that's still... I'm 183 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,450 Cole Cook: now taller than her and I'm the one aging and 184 00:10:45,450 --> 00:10:49,035 Cole Cook: she actually doesn't age, which is just how this kind 185 00:10:49,035 --> 00:10:53,670 Cole Cook: of works, so I run with it. But no, it's 186 00:10:53,670 --> 00:10:56,640 Cole Cook: something so much fun with us, because she came back 187 00:10:56,640 --> 00:10:58,350 Cole Cook: and was like, " I'll never run this again." And then 188 00:10:58,350 --> 00:11:00,540 Cole Cook: came and ran with me the second time. I was like, " 189 00:11:00,540 --> 00:11:02,790 Cole Cook: Hey, would you run?" And she was like, " Yeah, I'm 190 00:11:02,790 --> 00:11:06,540 Cole Cook: in." So, anytime I can again this is, I can 191 00:11:06,540 --> 00:11:08,940 Cole Cook: go back since I was 16, she took me on 192 00:11:08,940 --> 00:11:12,120 Cole Cook: the trip to South Africa just to be a part 193 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:14,460 Cole Cook: of it, to see what was going on, what KCA 194 00:11:14,460 --> 00:11:16,980 Cole Cook: was actually doing, to really just open up my eyes 195 00:11:16,980 --> 00:11:21,030 Cole Cook: and bring me different perspectives. And my gosh, it changed 196 00:11:21,030 --> 00:11:23,069 Cole Cook: how I looked on a lot of things. What I 197 00:11:23,070 --> 00:11:27,360 Cole Cook: took for granted, just even having water, it was the... 198 00:11:28,830 --> 00:11:30,929 Cole Cook: What was going on? FIFA World Cup was happening during 199 00:11:30,929 --> 00:11:34,530 Cole Cook: that moment, and I would say about five miles, you 200 00:11:34,530 --> 00:11:38,640 Cole Cook: could see the stadium. They had plumbing, and they just 201 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:41,100 Cole Cook: built everything brand new, but we were at a village 202 00:11:41,100 --> 00:11:43,829 Cole Cook: that was for 500 people and they had a little 203 00:11:43,830 --> 00:11:47,820 Cole Cook: faucet, and they were just happy to get bottles of 204 00:11:47,820 --> 00:11:50,370 Cole Cook: water. And it was just so eye- opening, especially at 205 00:11:50,370 --> 00:11:53,400 Cole Cook: 16, to really see it and take it all in. 206 00:11:53,820 --> 00:11:57,599 Cole Cook: It was life- changing. So again, at that moment, any 207 00:11:57,600 --> 00:12:00,480 Cole Cook: step I can take, any mile I can run, I 208 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:01,470 Cole Cook: will for KCA. 209 00:12:01,710 --> 00:12:05,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. Antonio, you have run the TCS New York 210 00:12:05,670 --> 00:12:09,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: City Marathon before, but you're taking this year off, which 211 00:12:10,050 --> 00:12:13,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: we understand. Talk about what it was like for you 212 00:12:13,830 --> 00:12:17,429 Rob Simmelkjaer: to run the marathon in support of this great organization. 213 00:12:17,790 --> 00:12:22,890 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: Yeah, I have to say, I'm so jealous that Cole running it, and 214 00:12:24,059 --> 00:12:26,640 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: I have to say one step at a time Cole, 215 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:29,970 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: I'm beyond thankful for you to do it again on behalf 216 00:12:29,970 --> 00:12:32,550 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: of all of us. But for me, running the marathon 217 00:12:32,550 --> 00:12:34,410 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: was the most incredible thing I've ever done in my 218 00:12:34,410 --> 00:12:37,800 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: life. The New York City Marathon, the energy, the atmosphere, 219 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:42,689 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: the people, the support, you feel like a celebrity every 220 00:12:42,690 --> 00:12:48,030 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: step of the way. And obviously I am so thankful 221 00:12:48,150 --> 00:12:51,150 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: on behalf of every single one of the children I 222 00:12:51,150 --> 00:12:55,920 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: serve for the people like Cole that are just supporting 223 00:12:55,920 --> 00:13:01,290 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: us at this incredible organization that I'm part of. So, 224 00:13:01,980 --> 00:13:03,300 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: I'm not running this year, Rob. 225 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:06,059 Rob Simmelkjaer: We'll come back and get you maybe for next year. 226 00:13:06,059 --> 00:13:08,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: We let everybody take a year off once in a 227 00:13:08,250 --> 00:13:11,099 Rob Simmelkjaer: while, but we know where you live now. Can you 228 00:13:11,100 --> 00:13:16,079 Rob Simmelkjaer: talk a little about the organization, Keep a Child Alive, 229 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:20,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: Antonio. We have so many great charity partners as part 230 00:13:20,340 --> 00:13:23,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: of TCS New York City Marathon, over 600 of them, 231 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:26,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: in fact. But what should folks know about Keep a 232 00:13:26,490 --> 00:13:28,679 Rob Simmelkjaer: Child Alive, if they've never heard of it before? 233 00:13:29,370 --> 00:13:32,189 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: Yeah, well Keep a Child Alive is an organization that 234 00:13:32,190 --> 00:13:36,960 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: was, as you previously stated, was started by Alicia Keys, 235 00:13:37,740 --> 00:13:44,100 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: and she did it with just that pure... Like Alicia 236 00:13:44,100 --> 00:13:48,569 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: does everything she led with her heart, and she found 237 00:13:48,570 --> 00:13:54,480 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: a situation that a mother couldn't afford the antiretroviral medication 238 00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:57,420 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: for her daughter, And she immediately jumped and said, " I 239 00:13:57,420 --> 00:14:01,380 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: can't believe this." And she started Keep a Child Alive, 240 00:14:02,130 --> 00:14:06,179 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: and it was kind of like a movement for change 241 00:14:06,210 --> 00:14:10,829 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: in action. 23 years later, we're still true to that 242 00:14:10,830 --> 00:14:17,610 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: core mission. Today, antiretroviral medication is available by most African 243 00:14:17,610 --> 00:14:23,910 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: governments for free, so that has shifted, but the reality 244 00:14:23,910 --> 00:14:28,080 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: is that children are still in need of very basic 245 00:14:29,250 --> 00:14:32,850 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: things, and we provide a lot of those things to 246 00:14:32,850 --> 00:14:35,190 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: those that are in need. And we have many different 247 00:14:35,190 --> 00:14:40,230 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: missions across multiple parts of the world, Africa and India 248 00:14:40,230 --> 00:14:44,160 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: and other parts. I'm super thankful for you guys, because 249 00:14:45,090 --> 00:14:48,480 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: we started with just a few bibs, and now we 250 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:52,920 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: have the fortune of having a lot of bibs that 251 00:14:52,950 --> 00:14:56,640 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: a lot of... Team KCA has grown to over 200 252 00:14:56,640 --> 00:15:00,990 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: runners per year across multiple different races, and it wouldn't 253 00:15:00,990 --> 00:15:06,090 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: be possible without the NYRR and you guys letting us 254 00:15:06,090 --> 00:15:08,550 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: be part of this incredible movement that you guys have 255 00:15:08,550 --> 00:15:09,540 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: built. So, thank you. 256 00:15:09,660 --> 00:15:14,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you, Antonio. Yeah, we're so proud of our charity 257 00:15:14,190 --> 00:15:17,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: program at New York Roadrunners and around the marathon. Last 258 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:24,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: year we raised over $ 70 million for nonprofits around New 259 00:15:24,240 --> 00:15:28,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: York and the United States and beyond. So, it's a huge 260 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:30,570 Rob Simmelkjaer: part of what makes the TCS New York City Marathon 261 00:15:30,570 --> 00:15:34,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: a special event. And it doesn't happen without runners like 262 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:38,430 Rob Simmelkjaer: Cole making it happen. And so, we're just thrilled that 263 00:15:38,940 --> 00:15:41,610 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're willing to take on the challenge, Cole. How's your 264 00:15:41,610 --> 00:15:44,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: training going? How are you feeling? I've seen your race 265 00:15:44,670 --> 00:15:49,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: results. You've done it a few times. Is there a 266 00:15:49,140 --> 00:15:51,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: time goal you're looking to achieve, or is it just 267 00:15:51,810 --> 00:15:52,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: to finish this baby? 268 00:15:52,710 --> 00:15:54,630 Cole Cook: I've definitely done it a few times now, and it's 269 00:15:54,630 --> 00:15:58,710 Cole Cook: now been, since the last time, it's been eight to 270 00:15:58,710 --> 00:16:01,860 Cole Cook: nine years. So, I'm up there and my body's starting 271 00:16:01,860 --> 00:16:06,810 Cole Cook: to really feel it this time around. My hope is, 272 00:16:06,810 --> 00:16:09,120 Cole Cook: again, I'm there for the team, I want to make 273 00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:11,940 Cole Cook: sure everybody finishes. That's my goal. So, we have people 274 00:16:11,940 --> 00:16:15,120 Cole Cook: that are going for sub- four, we have people that 275 00:16:15,120 --> 00:16:18,000 Cole Cook: want to aim for the five- hour mark, and then 276 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:19,620 Cole Cook: we have people like, " Hey, I just want to finish." 277 00:16:19,620 --> 00:16:22,290 Cole Cook: I might be in the seven- hour mark and I'm like, " 278 00:16:22,290 --> 00:16:24,900 Cole Cook: Hey, I'm there with you all. If somebody gets hurt 279 00:16:24,900 --> 00:16:27,150 Cole Cook: and needs me, I'll bump up and find you. If 280 00:16:27,150 --> 00:16:30,375 Cole Cook: I need to slow back down, I'm good." But the 281 00:16:30,375 --> 00:16:35,010 Cole Cook: training, I don't know why it's so much harder this 282 00:16:35,010 --> 00:16:38,610 Cole Cook: year to train, and I think it's like my body 283 00:16:38,610 --> 00:16:41,850 Cole Cook: actually feels the best it's ever felt, but my hips 284 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:45,750 Cole Cook: really are just tight. So, I've been working with PT 285 00:16:45,750 --> 00:16:47,970 Cole Cook: to get them loosened up again and try to just 286 00:16:47,970 --> 00:16:51,120 Cole Cook: really figure out why they're just locking up on me, 287 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:54,810 Cole Cook: but I feel strong, I feel great, and that's all 288 00:16:54,810 --> 00:16:55,830 Cole Cook: I can ask for right now. 289 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:58,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: Every time you train for a marathon, it's going to be 290 00:16:58,860 --> 00:17:02,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: a different set of challenges. And getting a little older 291 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:06,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: never makes it easier, typically, it's only going to add 292 00:17:06,270 --> 00:17:10,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: a little bit of challenge to the effort. But hey, 293 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:13,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: we're all dealing with the same thing. So, I wish 294 00:17:13,740 --> 00:17:17,189 Rob Simmelkjaer: you luck in your training. Cole, tell me about how 295 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:21,660 Rob Simmelkjaer: KCA has been a part of your relationship with Alicia. 296 00:17:21,690 --> 00:17:24,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: You all are half siblings, you did not grow up 297 00:17:24,750 --> 00:17:28,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: together. I know this because I saw Hell's Kitchen not 298 00:17:28,950 --> 00:17:32,001 Rob Simmelkjaer: long ago and, great show by the way, for anybody (inaudible) 299 00:17:32,001 --> 00:17:34,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: seen it. I loved it. It's a terrific show. 300 00:17:34,950 --> 00:17:37,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: I mean, listen, I'm a huge Alicia Keys fan, love 301 00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:41,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: her music, and it's a jukebox musical. Her songs are 302 00:17:41,460 --> 00:17:45,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: interspersed throughout the show. But yes, there was no brother 303 00:17:45,450 --> 00:17:47,129 Rob Simmelkjaer: that I saw in that show, so I was like, " Wait a 304 00:17:47,130 --> 00:17:49,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: second." And then I did a little research said, " Okay, 305 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:51,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: got it. They didn't grow up together." You guys met 306 00:17:51,510 --> 00:17:55,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: later in life. How has your relationship developed and how 307 00:17:55,470 --> 00:17:57,780 Rob Simmelkjaer: has this amazing cause been a part of that? 308 00:17:58,138 --> 00:18:01,770 Cole Cook: Yeah, we grew up in the sense of she was 309 00:18:01,770 --> 00:18:04,740 Cole Cook: in New York, I was in Colorado. I would see 310 00:18:04,740 --> 00:18:07,020 Cole Cook: her when I go see my grandmother once a year. 311 00:18:07,590 --> 00:18:10,170 Cole Cook: And then once I was old enough to join her 312 00:18:10,170 --> 00:18:13,500 Cole Cook: on tour, then I was always there. She always wanted 313 00:18:13,500 --> 00:18:16,440 Cole Cook: me around. I was always attached to her. She'll say 314 00:18:16,440 --> 00:18:19,290 Cole Cook: it, I was the brother attached to the leg. And 315 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:24,300 Cole Cook: so when, again, anything that she goes into, she's my 316 00:18:24,300 --> 00:18:27,990 Cole Cook: best friend, is my sister, she's my role model. So, 317 00:18:27,990 --> 00:18:30,420 Cole Cook: when I see her doing something like this for KCA, 318 00:18:31,619 --> 00:18:33,840 Cole Cook: it's hard for me not to be attached, no matter 319 00:18:33,840 --> 00:18:36,899 Cole Cook: what. It's a different love, and that's how it's always 320 00:18:36,900 --> 00:18:40,260 Cole Cook: been with KCA. Anytime I, again, I take a step, 321 00:18:41,070 --> 00:18:43,260 Cole Cook: I think about her, I think about the kids, I 322 00:18:43,260 --> 00:18:46,470 Cole Cook: think anything for KCA and I'll do it. And that goes on, 323 00:18:46,470 --> 00:18:49,109 Cole Cook: we have more coming up too. So, it's Kaleidoscope Dreams 324 00:18:49,109 --> 00:18:51,990 Cole Cook: is another foundation for the theaters that we're working on, 325 00:18:51,990 --> 00:18:54,330 Cole Cook: and I'm on the board with her as well. So, 326 00:18:54,330 --> 00:18:58,980 Cole Cook: it's finally stepping up into another level. This is my first 327 00:18:58,980 --> 00:19:00,659 Cole Cook: time being a board member, so I'm learning all the 328 00:19:00,660 --> 00:19:03,690 Cole Cook: new things and I'm like, " Okay, this is what Antonio 329 00:19:03,690 --> 00:19:06,960 Cole Cook: is doing behind the doors to even get the money, 330 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:09,510 Cole Cook: get it into the right places and learning all these pieces." 331 00:19:09,510 --> 00:19:13,110 Cole Cook: So, shout out to Antonio again for pulling that together. 332 00:19:14,070 --> 00:19:18,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's very cool. Really, really awesome stuff. So Antonio, here's 333 00:19:18,060 --> 00:19:21,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: what I know, it sounds like... And it's interesting, the 334 00:19:21,690 --> 00:19:25,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: AIDS crisis in Africa has, as the way you described it, 335 00:19:26,520 --> 00:19:31,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: transformed in a way, anti- viral medication is such an 336 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:37,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: amazing breakthrough medically that, thank goodness that there's access to 337 00:19:37,320 --> 00:19:40,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: it throughout most of Africa, but that does not mean 338 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:43,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: that there isn't a tremendous amount of need. And so, 339 00:19:43,859 --> 00:19:48,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: whether it's education, whether it's food insecurity, these are all 340 00:19:48,330 --> 00:19:52,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: things that are really needed. How is KCA approaching all 341 00:19:52,260 --> 00:19:55,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: these various needs that still exist on that continent? 342 00:19:55,410 --> 00:19:59,280 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: Well, if I may just take a step back and 343 00:19:59,280 --> 00:20:03,750 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: just give you a couple of horrendous statistics that keep 344 00:20:03,750 --> 00:20:06,240 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: me up at night, and that I wake up every 345 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:10,980 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: morning thinking about, which is my purpose in life. And 346 00:20:11,490 --> 00:20:14,820 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: five million children die before the age of five from 347 00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:22,650 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: treatable illnesses. One billion suffer violence or neglect. 450 million 348 00:20:22,680 --> 00:20:28,320 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: children lack access to education, and 45 million are malnourished 349 00:20:28,470 --> 00:20:33,750 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: today. So, if you think about those statistics and you 350 00:20:33,750 --> 00:20:36,060 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: think about the purpose of Keep a Child Alive, which 351 00:20:36,660 --> 00:20:40,950 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: its own name speaks for itself, I think about the 352 00:20:40,950 --> 00:20:45,330 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: fact that we're not going to stop until those statistics become 353 00:20:46,050 --> 00:20:52,350 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: something from the past. And KCA generally gets involved in 354 00:20:52,350 --> 00:20:56,159 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: areas where other organizations don't get involved. And what I 355 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:59,160 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: mean by that is that we try not to be 356 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:03,149 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: bureaucratic or governmental or there's not a lot of politics 357 00:21:03,150 --> 00:21:08,430 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: at KCA. We are very much nimble and we act, 358 00:21:08,760 --> 00:21:14,700 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: and it all comes from the DNA that was built by 359 00:21:14,730 --> 00:21:19,740 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: Alicia. We decided as an organization from a very early 360 00:21:19,740 --> 00:21:24,719 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: age that we're not going to stop if there was 361 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:27,510 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: a child in need, and we would figure out later 362 00:21:27,510 --> 00:21:31,619 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: how to support it. And again, if I may give 363 00:21:31,619 --> 00:21:35,430 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: you just a personal story to share with you guys. 364 00:21:36,090 --> 00:21:40,800 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: So, I was fortunate enough that my son, Benjamin, was 365 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:44,340 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: born in New York City. I have two sons, and 366 00:21:44,730 --> 00:21:49,350 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: my son was born prematurely. And if he would've been 367 00:21:49,350 --> 00:21:52,139 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: born in any of the countries that I work in 368 00:21:52,140 --> 00:21:55,890 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: Africa, he probably wouldn't have made it. And I think 369 00:21:55,890 --> 00:21:58,679 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: about my son every single day when I look at 370 00:21:58,680 --> 00:22:00,480 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: him, I think about the fact that he may not 371 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:03,060 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: have been here if he would've been born in Tanzania, 372 00:22:03,060 --> 00:22:09,210 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: for example, where children at his age are effectively discarded, 373 00:22:09,210 --> 00:22:14,940 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: because there's no infrastructure. And these are treatable illnesses. So, 374 00:22:15,869 --> 00:22:18,420 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: I think Keep a Child Alive will continue to be 375 00:22:18,420 --> 00:22:21,179 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: an organization that will be there for children in the 376 00:22:21,180 --> 00:22:22,830 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: multiple areas that we work on. 377 00:22:23,040 --> 00:22:25,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you so much for sharing that. And yeah, it's 378 00:22:26,220 --> 00:22:31,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: obviously tragic anytime a child is lost unnecessarily in this 379 00:22:31,890 --> 00:22:37,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: world. And these are all things that are preventable, in 380 00:22:37,260 --> 00:22:41,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: a way. We talk about natural disasters, but so many 381 00:22:41,940 --> 00:22:45,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: of these are human made disasters, inability to set up 382 00:22:45,960 --> 00:22:51,209 Rob Simmelkjaer: systems that are really supporting children wherever they are. And 383 00:22:51,660 --> 00:22:56,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: Cole, I'm sure as you prepare to tow the line 384 00:22:56,460 --> 00:23:00,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: on November 2nd, stories like what Antonio's sharing, and that you've 385 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:04,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: seen for yourself, have to provide a tremendous amount of motivation. 386 00:23:04,950 --> 00:23:08,520 Cole Cook: Correct. When you are out there and you're in the 387 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:10,530 Cole Cook: pain and you remember all the things that we've talked 388 00:23:10,530 --> 00:23:13,590 Cole Cook: about and scene, it just is like you can make 389 00:23:13,590 --> 00:23:16,590 Cole Cook: that extra step, you can get to that finish line. 390 00:23:17,220 --> 00:23:20,639 Rob Simmelkjaer: Is there anything, Cole, that you specifically remember? I don't know how 391 00:23:20,730 --> 00:23:24,180 Rob Simmelkjaer: many times you've been over to Africa with KCA, but 392 00:23:24,180 --> 00:23:27,119 Rob Simmelkjaer: any stories or things that really stand out in your 393 00:23:27,119 --> 00:23:31,619 Rob Simmelkjaer: mind as things that you think about when you think 394 00:23:31,619 --> 00:23:33,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: about the work that KCA does? 395 00:23:34,260 --> 00:23:39,090 Cole Cook: Yeah, I know I talked about one earlier about being 396 00:23:39,090 --> 00:23:40,740 Cole Cook: around the World Cup and seeing that, but there was 397 00:23:40,740 --> 00:23:44,790 Cole Cook: another one about Bobby Bear, correct, Antonio is the name? 398 00:23:44,970 --> 00:23:45,210 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: Yeah. 399 00:23:45,210 --> 00:23:50,730 Cole Cook: And it's just seeing what the kids are dealing with 400 00:23:50,730 --> 00:23:54,510 Cole Cook: in that space and growing up and then seeing... I'm 401 00:23:54,510 --> 00:23:56,520 Cole Cook: trying to remember her name right now. It's been years, 402 00:23:56,520 --> 00:23:58,500 Cole Cook: but I haven't been back, but we're planning on going 403 00:23:58,500 --> 00:24:01,320 Cole Cook: back very soon, because it's again, it's time for us 404 00:24:01,320 --> 00:24:06,000 Cole Cook: all to go back and be present. But it was 405 00:24:06,540 --> 00:24:09,780 Cole Cook: seeing what this woman was doing to go and pull 406 00:24:09,840 --> 00:24:13,590 Cole Cook: these children from these places where they didn't have anything, 407 00:24:13,590 --> 00:24:18,780 Cole Cook: and she was being attacked and she didn't care. It 408 00:24:18,780 --> 00:24:20,459 Cole Cook: was like, " I will do anything for the kids." And 409 00:24:20,460 --> 00:24:22,530 Cole Cook: seeing that and seeing how she was still doing with 410 00:24:22,530 --> 00:24:28,590 Cole Cook: a smile, and that took me so far, that step 411 00:24:28,590 --> 00:24:32,940 Cole Cook: I'll do it, because it was just, ugh, there's no 412 00:24:32,940 --> 00:24:34,740 Cole Cook: words for it there. There isn't. 413 00:24:35,310 --> 00:24:40,530 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, no, it's huge challenges. Antonio, what are the countries 414 00:24:40,530 --> 00:24:44,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: in Africa where you are most active with KCA? 415 00:24:44,940 --> 00:24:47,669 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: I would say, well, we're in many parts of the 416 00:24:47,670 --> 00:24:51,990 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: world. We've been in 28 countries. I don't want to 417 00:24:52,470 --> 00:24:54,780 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: bore you with every single one of them, but we 418 00:24:54,780 --> 00:24:59,760 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: have worked in 28 different countries. Right now, I can speak 419 00:25:00,210 --> 00:25:03,240 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: for one specific project that I am really proud of. 420 00:25:03,240 --> 00:25:06,840 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: And by the way, Cole is coming next month, he's just, " 421 00:25:06,840 --> 00:25:08,580 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: I don't know what you're talking about." You're coming with 422 00:25:08,580 --> 00:25:13,290 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: me to Tanzania next month, but... I love you Cole. 423 00:25:15,450 --> 00:25:19,590 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: So, after what I told you, so KCA got involved in 424 00:25:19,590 --> 00:25:26,909 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: the development of the first ever neonatal intensive care unit. 425 00:25:26,970 --> 00:25:31,680 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: We're building a hospital for babies in Tanzania. When we 426 00:25:31,680 --> 00:25:37,710 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: saw the fact that the only reason why babies are 427 00:25:37,710 --> 00:25:41,070 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: dying in Tanzania, I'm talking about babies that are born 428 00:25:41,070 --> 00:25:44,040 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: too soon, is because of the lack of infrastructure, we 429 00:25:45,660 --> 00:25:49,109 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: could not look the other way. And so right now, 430 00:25:49,619 --> 00:25:53,730 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: next month actually in November, we're going to be opening 431 00:25:53,730 --> 00:25:57,240 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: our first hospital in the country of Tanzania, which is 432 00:25:57,240 --> 00:25:59,790 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: the first ever in the country. It's going to be 433 00:25:59,790 --> 00:26:02,070 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: a huge movement. I'm going to send you the link, 434 00:26:02,070 --> 00:26:04,680 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: Rob, so you can check it out, because there's going 435 00:26:04,680 --> 00:26:09,300 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: to be a lot of media around it. And the number 436 00:26:09,300 --> 00:26:11,850 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: of babies that we're going to be saving are in 437 00:26:11,850 --> 00:26:16,919 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: the thousands of babies. And this is just the basic 438 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:21,990 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: infrastructure. We're talking incubators, we're talking beds for the mothers, 439 00:26:22,260 --> 00:26:27,630 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: we're talking about decency for the families. And that doesn't 440 00:26:27,630 --> 00:26:32,940 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: exist today in a country such as Tanzania. So, we 441 00:26:32,940 --> 00:26:35,460 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: work in many other parts of the world with many 442 00:26:35,460 --> 00:26:40,950 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: different projects, and I have to tell you that we 443 00:26:40,950 --> 00:26:45,119 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: are always open for business anytime, and this is my 444 00:26:45,119 --> 00:26:48,630 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: call to action, anytime that there's a child in need 445 00:26:48,990 --> 00:26:51,300 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: and that there is a runner that wants to be 446 00:26:51,630 --> 00:26:55,530 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: involved in an organization that is supporting children, we're here. 447 00:26:56,460 --> 00:26:59,820 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: We always talk about it, and Alicia and I have 448 00:26:59,820 --> 00:27:02,520 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: talked about it many times. This is a platform for 449 00:27:02,520 --> 00:27:06,330 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: change. This is not her organization or my organization. This is 450 00:27:06,330 --> 00:27:10,199 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: a platform for anybody that wants to support children. You 451 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:13,140 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: don't need to be the richest man on the planet 452 00:27:13,140 --> 00:27:15,959 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: or a super celebrity, you just need to be someone 453 00:27:15,960 --> 00:27:19,680 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: that is willing to do what Cole is doing, one 454 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:22,350 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: step at a time, run the New York City Marathon, 455 00:27:22,380 --> 00:27:25,560 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: raise awareness for the organization, raise awareness for the cause, 456 00:27:25,619 --> 00:27:28,080 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: and I guarantee you that every dollar that is raised 457 00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:32,010 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: goes to the right places. That is what I can guarantee you. 458 00:27:32,550 --> 00:27:37,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: Beautiful, Antonio, I love listening to your passion for this. 459 00:27:37,859 --> 00:27:43,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: And we've talked about Cole's family influence and connection around 460 00:27:44,460 --> 00:27:47,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: KCA, but Antonio I'm curious about your family background as 461 00:27:47,880 --> 00:27:52,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: well. Your grandfather, I'm told, was a leader in this 462 00:27:52,950 --> 00:27:58,619 Rob Simmelkjaer: space with UNICEF. What were the family values that led 463 00:27:58,619 --> 00:28:01,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: you to a position like the one you've had since 464 00:28:01,980 --> 00:28:05,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: 2015, as the CEO of Keep a Child Alive? 465 00:28:06,180 --> 00:28:08,369 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: Well, I don't talk about this a lot, so Rob, 466 00:28:08,369 --> 00:28:12,330 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: you caught me here when I saw that you figured 467 00:28:12,330 --> 00:28:15,179 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: that out. But yeah, my grandfather was the president of 468 00:28:15,180 --> 00:28:20,400 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: UNICEF for my entire childhood. I grew up with him 469 00:28:20,670 --> 00:28:26,340 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: being the president of the largest organization caring for children 470 00:28:26,850 --> 00:28:32,460 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: around the world. And I remember growing up, we were middle 471 00:28:32,460 --> 00:28:36,869 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: class family. I was always an entrepreneur, I was always 472 00:28:36,869 --> 00:28:41,730 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: trying to just question the status quo. And I remember 473 00:28:41,730 --> 00:28:47,340 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: that my grandpa, his name is Joaquin, he always told 474 00:28:47,340 --> 00:28:51,209 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: me that the biggest... And he started, he became the 475 00:28:51,210 --> 00:28:55,500 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: president of UNICEF, I think at age 78. So just for 476 00:28:55,500 --> 00:28:57,719 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: context, and this is a guy that had done a 477 00:28:57,720 --> 00:29:01,350 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: lot of things in his professional career throughout his life. 478 00:29:02,130 --> 00:29:06,480 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: And I remember asking him, " Are there any regrets? Do 479 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:08,520 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: you have any regrets?" And he always told me, " I 480 00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:14,190 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: regret having started to support children this late in my 481 00:29:14,190 --> 00:29:17,100 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: life." And that got stuck in me. I don't know 482 00:29:17,100 --> 00:29:20,160 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: why it got stuck in me, and every single step 483 00:29:20,160 --> 00:29:22,860 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: of the way, no matter whether I was successful or 484 00:29:22,860 --> 00:29:27,570 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: unsuccessful as an entrepreneur, I always was thinking, " Wow, grandpa 485 00:29:27,570 --> 00:29:31,050 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: had a mission and he started so late, and he 486 00:29:31,050 --> 00:29:34,260 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: was at the helm of the largest organization." So I 487 00:29:34,260 --> 00:29:36,540 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: was like, " I got to do something about this." And 488 00:29:36,540 --> 00:29:41,040 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: then I understood, the moment that I became the CEO 489 00:29:41,040 --> 00:29:44,729 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: of KCA, I had no background in the space, I 490 00:29:44,730 --> 00:29:48,780 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: had no experience, but I knew that it was my 491 00:29:48,780 --> 00:29:52,380 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: purpose. And when you have purpose, nothing can stop you, 492 00:29:52,380 --> 00:29:55,800 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: man. My grandpa had purpose and he found it at 493 00:29:55,800 --> 00:30:00,720 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: 78. I found it very young, and I am going 494 00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:05,640 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: to hopefully many years kicking in this mission and objective. 495 00:30:06,750 --> 00:30:11,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: Incredible, absolutely. Great to have that kind of family heritage, 496 00:30:11,700 --> 00:30:14,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'm sure, when you're taking on a role like this. 497 00:30:15,450 --> 00:30:18,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: Cole, on your side, so of course everybody knows about 498 00:30:18,900 --> 00:30:22,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: Alicia Key's career, your sister, but you have an impressive 499 00:30:22,890 --> 00:30:25,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: career of your own a filmmaker. How'd you get into 500 00:30:25,710 --> 00:30:28,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: the film business and what kinds of projects have you 501 00:30:28,380 --> 00:30:28,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: worked on? 502 00:30:29,490 --> 00:30:34,260 Cole Cook: That was a journey. I actually started in, I was a professional 503 00:30:34,260 --> 00:30:36,000 Cole Cook: Call of Duty player for eight years of my life. 504 00:30:36,150 --> 00:30:37,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: Oh wow. Wow. 505 00:30:37,500 --> 00:30:40,620 Cole Cook: So that's how I got into the gaming scene, and then obviously 506 00:30:40,620 --> 00:30:44,130 Cole Cook: grew up in the music industry, and then was just 507 00:30:44,130 --> 00:30:47,160 Cole Cook: wanting my own lane again once I retired from gaming. 508 00:30:47,670 --> 00:30:50,490 Cole Cook: And then I went to school for film and came 509 00:30:50,490 --> 00:30:54,000 Cole Cook: out and started a production company, and then started working 510 00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:57,660 Cole Cook: with liquor brands for commercials and then some more live 511 00:30:57,660 --> 00:31:02,790 Cole Cook: events. And now we're starting to work on film and TV, 512 00:31:02,790 --> 00:31:06,360 Cole Cook: and it's really just slowly coming together, but it's been 513 00:31:06,360 --> 00:31:08,580 Cole Cook: a journey to get here, but that's the fun part 514 00:31:08,580 --> 00:31:11,459 Cole Cook: about life. It's all supposed to be changing and you 515 00:31:11,460 --> 00:31:13,410 Cole Cook: just have to be open to it. So... 516 00:31:13,890 --> 00:31:17,220 Rob Simmelkjaer: A hundred percent. So, it sounds like that entertainment gene 517 00:31:17,220 --> 00:31:19,231 Rob Simmelkjaer: is really strong in your family. 518 00:31:19,231 --> 00:31:19,681 Cole Cook: It's strong. 519 00:31:19,770 --> 00:31:23,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: It sounds like, the Keys, Cook family, you guys, you 520 00:31:23,280 --> 00:31:26,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: want to entertain people. You want to make people enjoy, 521 00:31:26,310 --> 00:31:27,690 Rob Simmelkjaer: whether it's a song or a story. 522 00:31:28,050 --> 00:31:32,100 Cole Cook: Definitely. That creative juices are flowing and it's just hard to stop it. 523 00:31:33,120 --> 00:31:37,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, no, I can imagine it's not easy. Not easy, 524 00:31:37,170 --> 00:31:39,870 Rob Simmelkjaer: the filmmaking thing. Have you found ways, are you looking 525 00:31:39,870 --> 00:31:44,970 Rob Simmelkjaer: for ways to combine what kind of causes we're talking 526 00:31:44,970 --> 00:31:48,300 Rob Simmelkjaer: about, obviously KCA and these other causes, with what you 527 00:31:48,300 --> 00:31:52,230 Rob Simmelkjaer: do as a filmmaker? Obviously there's tremendous opportunity, I'm sure, 528 00:31:52,230 --> 00:31:56,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: for storytelling and telling some of the stories that Antonio's 529 00:31:56,460 --> 00:31:57,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: talking about. 530 00:31:57,360 --> 00:31:59,880 Cole Cook: Definitely. We had fun when I was younger too, I 531 00:31:59,880 --> 00:32:03,390 Cole Cook: would come and actually did a video for KCA back 532 00:32:03,390 --> 00:32:06,840 Cole Cook: in the day, and I wasn't even running that year, 533 00:32:06,840 --> 00:32:08,400 Cole Cook: but I was like, " I want to do something again 534 00:32:08,400 --> 00:32:10,080 Cole Cook: to be able to give back, do a moment to 535 00:32:10,080 --> 00:32:12,780 Cole Cook: really drive the awareness." So, it was just me, my 536 00:32:12,780 --> 00:32:16,050 Cole Cook: friend that was actually running with KCA, Dwayne McLaughlin, and 537 00:32:16,050 --> 00:32:19,140 Cole Cook: we went out and it was pulled in Carmelo Anthony, pulled in 538 00:32:19,140 --> 00:32:23,760 Cole Cook: Alicia, just pulling a you can do it, push through 539 00:32:23,760 --> 00:32:25,830 Cole Cook: moment. And that was back to what you were saying 540 00:32:25,830 --> 00:32:30,210 Cole Cook: is just having the platform to drive awareness for these 541 00:32:30,210 --> 00:32:33,750 Cole Cook: different charities, and it was when you can, you have to. 542 00:32:34,380 --> 00:32:38,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: Absolutely. Yeah. All right, so Cole, is Alicia going to 543 00:32:38,100 --> 00:32:41,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: be out there supporting you on November 2nd? What are we 544 00:32:41,790 --> 00:32:45,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: expecting? Are we going to get a little encouragement, at 545 00:32:45,360 --> 00:32:49,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: least a text, like you're talking to her about your training? Where's 546 00:32:49,350 --> 00:32:49,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: she going to be? 547 00:32:50,430 --> 00:32:52,200 Cole Cook: I'm still trying to figure out if she's going to 548 00:32:52,200 --> 00:32:55,560 Cole Cook: be there or not be there. But we're doing, we 549 00:32:55,560 --> 00:32:57,720 Cole Cook: have this whole component around this year that we're doing 550 00:32:57,720 --> 00:33:00,270 Cole Cook: a live stream on Twitch, so I wanted to bring 551 00:33:00,270 --> 00:33:04,080 Cole Cook: my gaming world into this space, and so we're doing 552 00:33:04,080 --> 00:33:06,780 Cole Cook: a watch party. I'll have a host doing there, so 553 00:33:06,930 --> 00:33:09,420 Cole Cook: we don't have to be focused the entire time, but 554 00:33:09,420 --> 00:33:12,750 Cole Cook: we'll jump from different camera angles from different people crossing 555 00:33:12,750 --> 00:33:16,530 Cole Cook: the line. So, hopefully there she'll at least hop on 556 00:33:16,530 --> 00:33:18,300 Cole Cook: and give me some motivation. She might be in the 557 00:33:18,330 --> 00:33:20,340 Cole Cook: pool, to be honest, with a drink in hand to 558 00:33:20,340 --> 00:33:22,890 Cole Cook: really just rub it in. I can see it. I 559 00:33:22,890 --> 00:33:25,440 Cole Cook: can see it already. My nephew's in the background playing like, " 560 00:33:25,470 --> 00:33:30,330 Cole Cook: Oh yeah, you got this. Keep going." But we'll find 561 00:33:30,330 --> 00:33:32,010 Cole Cook: out. Or she might come up and surprise me. She's 562 00:33:32,010 --> 00:33:34,740 Cole Cook: done it before, so we'll see. 563 00:33:35,910 --> 00:33:38,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: That would be an interesting way to motivate a runner, 564 00:33:38,070 --> 00:33:41,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: is to, yeah, send a video from a pool with a drink. 565 00:33:41,850 --> 00:33:44,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, they would motivate you to finish, so you can 566 00:33:44,070 --> 00:33:46,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: get there with her to the pool and the drink. 567 00:33:47,490 --> 00:33:51,210 Cole Cook: I'm ready for my drink. I'm ready for my after pasta and my drink. Okay? 568 00:33:53,310 --> 00:33:56,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it. Okay. Finally, Antonio, I'll ask you if 569 00:33:56,190 --> 00:33:59,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: someone wants to support Keep a Child Alive or support 570 00:34:00,090 --> 00:34:01,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: Cole's run, where should they go? 571 00:34:01,710 --> 00:34:06,150 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: Yeah. So they can... Well, that's two questions, right? If they 572 00:34:06,150 --> 00:34:08,640 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: want to support Keep a Child Alive, just go on 573 00:34:08,640 --> 00:34:15,989 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: our website and check out what we do. It's www. keepachildalive. 574 00:34:15,989 --> 00:34:20,160 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: org. And more importantly, I am going to repeat myself 575 00:34:20,160 --> 00:34:23,910 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: with the platform, you don't need to be someone that is 576 00:34:25,560 --> 00:34:27,480 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: any idea. You don't need to be someone that has 577 00:34:27,480 --> 00:34:30,420 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: a lot of money just to support with cash. You 578 00:34:30,450 --> 00:34:33,750 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: can come in and say, " I just want to run 579 00:34:33,780 --> 00:34:37,200 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: New York City Marathon." And we have, thanks to you, 580 00:34:37,200 --> 00:34:40,440 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: Rob, we have bibs for New York City Marathon secured. 581 00:34:40,440 --> 00:34:43,410 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: So be part of the team, speak about our work, 582 00:34:43,650 --> 00:34:47,670 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: come to Africa with us, come visit the programs, see 583 00:34:47,670 --> 00:34:51,750 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: the real heroes that are in Africa working with us, 584 00:34:51,810 --> 00:34:57,090 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: the activists, the women and children that are there on 585 00:34:57,090 --> 00:35:00,900 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: the ground. And so, I highly encourage anybody to just 586 00:35:00,900 --> 00:35:04,020 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: reach out with any ideas, anything that they can think 587 00:35:04,020 --> 00:35:08,430 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: of, because the reality is that I think that there's 588 00:35:08,430 --> 00:35:11,969 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: so much to do and we are open for business, 589 00:35:11,969 --> 00:35:16,320 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: as I said. So, I really highly encourage anybody to 590 00:35:16,320 --> 00:35:17,790 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: just join our movement. 591 00:35:18,210 --> 00:35:22,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you so much, encourage everybody to check that out. 592 00:35:22,140 --> 00:35:27,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: And again, it's. keepachildalive. org. Antonio Ruiz Jimenez, thank you so 593 00:35:27,900 --> 00:35:30,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: much. Thank you for the work you're doing as well, 594 00:35:30,360 --> 00:35:34,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: it sounds incredible. And Cole Cook, thank you and good 595 00:35:34,170 --> 00:35:35,071 Rob Simmelkjaer: luck on November 2nd. 596 00:35:35,071 --> 00:35:35,520 Cole Cook: Appreciate it. 597 00:35:35,969 --> 00:35:38,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'll be looking for you out in Staten Island and 598 00:35:38,550 --> 00:35:40,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'll definitely be looking for you at the finish line 599 00:35:40,560 --> 00:35:42,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: because I know that's where I'm going to see you. 600 00:35:42,750 --> 00:35:43,081 Cole Cook: That's what we'll be. Thanks for having us. 601 00:35:43,081 --> 00:35:43,082 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: Yeah. Thanks Rob. 602 00:35:43,082 --> 00:35:43,083 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you guys both so much. 603 00:35:43,083 --> 00:35:43,084 Antonio Ruiz Jimenez: Really appreciate it. 604 00:35:43,084 --> 00:35:51,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: Appreciate it. Best of luck, Cole, you got it. 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Peloton, an official partner of the 613 00:36:21,060 --> 00:36:26,730 Rob Simmelkjaer: 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Anna Dina Cruz is a 43- year- 614 00:36:26,730 --> 00:36:29,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: old New York Roadrunner's member who will be lining up for 615 00:36:29,160 --> 00:36:32,969 Rob Simmelkjaer: her first TCS New York City Marathon this November. A 616 00:36:32,969 --> 00:36:36,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: year ago, she was at her heaviest weight and started 617 00:36:36,000 --> 00:36:39,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: running simply to get healthier. Along the way, she discovered 618 00:36:39,750 --> 00:36:44,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: much more than exercise. She found clarity, discipline, and a 619 00:36:44,010 --> 00:36:47,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: deep love of the sport. For Anna Dina Marathon training 620 00:36:47,550 --> 00:36:51,419 Rob Simmelkjaer: is about resilience, growth, and testing her limits, and she's 621 00:36:51,420 --> 00:36:54,330 Rob Simmelkjaer: ready to embrace every challenge on the road to the 622 00:36:54,330 --> 00:36:56,759 Rob Simmelkjaer: finish line. Here's Meb with her story. 623 00:36:57,210 --> 00:36:59,850 Meb: Anna Dena, welcome to Set the Pace podcast. How's it 624 00:36:59,850 --> 00:37:00,360 Meb: going today? 625 00:37:00,870 --> 00:37:02,730 Anna Dina Cruz: It's going good. Thank you for asking. 626 00:37:03,180 --> 00:37:06,930 Meb: Great. Well, you have said that running started because to 627 00:37:06,930 --> 00:37:10,710 Meb: lose weight, but came something bigger. Can you tell us 628 00:37:10,710 --> 00:37:14,279 Meb: about the turning point when you started shifting from exercise 629 00:37:14,279 --> 00:37:14,850 Meb: to passion? 630 00:37:15,660 --> 00:37:20,520 Anna Dina Cruz: Yes. So, when I started running, it became more of 631 00:37:20,760 --> 00:37:23,969 Anna Dina Cruz: losing the weight, just to get in shape, but it 632 00:37:23,969 --> 00:37:26,939 Anna Dina Cruz: became more than that. It became just more than just 633 00:37:26,940 --> 00:37:34,560 Anna Dina Cruz: the scale. It became about my mindset. I grew to 634 00:37:34,620 --> 00:37:41,850 Anna Dina Cruz: loving running, and because I've lost the weight, it became 635 00:37:41,850 --> 00:37:47,250 Anna Dina Cruz: more into running for my mind and my spirit, instead 636 00:37:47,250 --> 00:37:51,989 Anna Dina Cruz: of just for the weight loss and the journey, I 637 00:37:51,989 --> 00:37:53,820 Anna Dina Cruz: grew into loving that. 638 00:37:54,810 --> 00:37:58,290 Meb: Absolutely. I think the passion takes over and the progress 639 00:37:58,290 --> 00:38:00,960 Meb: that you saw. So training for a Marathon is a big 640 00:38:00,960 --> 00:38:04,620 Meb: leap. What has surprised you the most as far as 641 00:38:04,620 --> 00:38:05,400 Meb: the process? 642 00:38:05,670 --> 00:38:11,310 Anna Dina Cruz: What surprised me the most was challenging myself, just the discipline, 643 00:38:11,489 --> 00:38:14,520 Anna Dina Cruz: me waking up at 4: 00 in the morning and having to push 644 00:38:14,520 --> 00:38:19,650 Anna Dina Cruz: through those times where I did not want to go 645 00:38:19,770 --> 00:38:24,569 Anna Dina Cruz: out running or working out. I knew it was more 646 00:38:24,870 --> 00:38:29,850 Anna Dina Cruz: than just myself. I had to do it for a 647 00:38:29,850 --> 00:38:36,029 Anna Dina Cruz: purpose. So, I can't even... There's no words that I 648 00:38:36,030 --> 00:38:40,410 Anna Dina Cruz: can put into the journey that this has made me feel. 649 00:38:41,969 --> 00:38:45,060 Meb: No, I think confidence is very important. The progress that 650 00:38:45,060 --> 00:38:48,060 Meb: you make is huge, but you have talked about wanting 651 00:38:48,060 --> 00:38:51,660 Meb: to learn how to stay committed even when the motivation 652 00:38:51,660 --> 00:38:55,230 Meb: fades. What strategies are you using to keep yourself going 653 00:38:55,230 --> 00:38:56,430 Meb: on the tough days? 654 00:38:57,960 --> 00:39:01,860 Anna Dina Cruz: The strategies that I'm using on tough days is just 655 00:39:01,860 --> 00:39:07,320 Anna Dina Cruz: reminding myself that the reason why I am doing this is for 656 00:39:07,320 --> 00:39:12,630 Anna Dina Cruz: a purpose. It's not just about myself, it's me raising 657 00:39:12,630 --> 00:39:17,730 Anna Dina Cruz: money for TEAMKids, and I have to keep going. And 658 00:39:17,730 --> 00:39:21,810 Anna Dina Cruz: those days when I don't want to get up and 659 00:39:21,810 --> 00:39:26,100 Anna Dina Cruz: train, especially when we have rainy days or when it's 660 00:39:26,100 --> 00:39:31,200 Anna Dina Cruz: cold, or I just don't want to, I remind myself 661 00:39:31,200 --> 00:39:34,469 Anna Dina Cruz: why I'm doing this. Not just for myself, but for 662 00:39:34,650 --> 00:39:38,550 Anna Dina Cruz: a purpose. And that gives me the motivation. 663 00:39:38,670 --> 00:39:43,980 Meb: Yeah. It's a great motivation TEAM4Kids is a great platform to help (inaudible) for kids 664 00:39:43,980 --> 00:39:47,790 Meb: and help them what they do. We realize sometimes our 665 00:39:48,600 --> 00:39:52,170 Meb: goals or running late in life, but I can stop 666 00:39:52,170 --> 00:39:55,050 Meb: but help think about the shirt that you're wearing today. 667 00:39:55,350 --> 00:39:56,100 Meb: Strong mom. 668 00:39:56,100 --> 00:39:57,360 Anna Dina Cruz: A mom, yes. 669 00:39:58,000 --> 00:40:01,920 Meb: (inaudible) sports. And tell us about that, how much 670 00:40:01,920 --> 00:40:04,020 Meb: you lost weight, and then now to wear that with 671 00:40:04,020 --> 00:40:08,969 Meb: confidence and be able to just fundraise for TEAM4Kids, confidence 672 00:40:08,969 --> 00:40:09,061 Meb: is high. 673 00:40:09,061 --> 00:40:14,340 Anna Dina Cruz: It is. It definitely is. When I was at my heaviest, I lost 674 00:40:14,340 --> 00:40:20,430 Anna Dina Cruz: my confidence, and just being able to the journey and 675 00:40:20,430 --> 00:40:22,860 Anna Dina Cruz: the little steps that I have been doing to get 676 00:40:22,860 --> 00:40:27,480 Anna Dina Cruz: to where I'm going, and the goals, it's an accomplishment 677 00:40:27,480 --> 00:40:29,820 Anna Dina Cruz: and it makes me feel really good. I'm a mom 678 00:40:30,719 --> 00:40:32,730 Anna Dina Cruz: and my son is an athlete, and for him to 679 00:40:32,730 --> 00:40:35,910 Anna Dina Cruz: see me put in that discipline and to get up 680 00:40:36,360 --> 00:40:42,120 Anna Dina Cruz: really early and to train, it motivates him. And it 681 00:40:42,120 --> 00:40:44,910 Anna Dina Cruz: makes him see like, " Hey, my mom is at this 682 00:40:44,910 --> 00:40:50,790 Anna Dina Cruz: age." I'm 43 years old. I did one goal to another 683 00:40:50,790 --> 00:40:52,919 Anna Dina Cruz: goal, to another goal. So I want him to know 684 00:40:52,920 --> 00:40:57,540 Anna Dina Cruz: that with this anything is possible. No matter what the 685 00:40:57,540 --> 00:41:00,239 Anna Dina Cruz: age is, whatever goals that you want, you can just 686 00:41:00,780 --> 00:41:03,060 Anna Dina Cruz: go for it, do it. And this was one of 687 00:41:03,060 --> 00:41:06,239 Anna Dina Cruz: my goals. Losing the weight and doing the marathon. 688 00:41:06,780 --> 00:41:10,859 Meb: Pretty awesome goal. And the marathon represents a personal transformation 689 00:41:10,860 --> 00:41:11,279 Meb: for you. 690 00:41:11,610 --> 00:41:12,060 Anna Dina Cruz: Absolutely. 691 00:41:12,060 --> 00:41:14,640 Meb: What do you hope to feel when you cross the 692 00:41:14,640 --> 00:41:17,070 Meb: finish line Central Park, which is my favorite part? 693 00:41:18,390 --> 00:41:22,890 Anna Dina Cruz: I hope to feel... I imagine it's going to be 694 00:41:22,890 --> 00:41:29,730 Anna Dina Cruz: overwhelming, and just I hope to be proud of myself, 695 00:41:29,730 --> 00:41:35,760 Anna Dina Cruz: because the journey is long and hard, and for people 696 00:41:35,760 --> 00:41:42,060 Anna Dina Cruz: who are in it, they know that the time, the 697 00:41:43,980 --> 00:41:47,759 Anna Dina Cruz: commitments, the friendships and the going out and all of that, 698 00:41:47,760 --> 00:41:51,509 Anna Dina Cruz: that's all a sacrifice for that. And it'll be so 699 00:41:51,510 --> 00:41:53,850 Anna Dina Cruz: worth it crossing the finish line and being proud of 700 00:41:53,850 --> 00:41:56,850 Anna Dina Cruz: myself, losing the weight, running while doing it, it all 701 00:41:56,850 --> 00:42:00,900 Anna Dina Cruz: kind of ties in together. And knowing that I did 702 00:42:00,900 --> 00:42:07,230 Anna Dina Cruz: this on my own, by myself, with no support. Yeah... 703 00:42:07,320 --> 00:42:12,540 Anna Dina Cruz: Well, not support, but just I don't have anyone with 704 00:42:12,540 --> 00:42:15,870 Anna Dina Cruz: me... Right, usually when I do stuff, I usually have 705 00:42:15,870 --> 00:42:19,680 Anna Dina Cruz: someone with me and I kind of hold onto that as 706 00:42:19,890 --> 00:42:23,130 Anna Dina Cruz: a comfort. So, I decided to break out and do 707 00:42:23,130 --> 00:42:25,800 Anna Dina Cruz: something on my own that I can do, where I 708 00:42:25,800 --> 00:42:29,969 Anna Dina Cruz: have no choice, but this is just me, myself, and to do 709 00:42:29,969 --> 00:42:33,509 Anna Dina Cruz: it. So, I can't wait to have that feeling, to 710 00:42:33,510 --> 00:42:35,880 Anna Dina Cruz: be proud of myself that I accomplished a goal. 711 00:42:36,930 --> 00:42:39,359 Meb: Anna Dina, well, you won't be by yourself, you're running 712 00:42:39,360 --> 00:42:43,380 Meb: the TCS New York City Marathon, which people, volunteers, sponsors, 713 00:42:43,380 --> 00:42:47,129 Meb: and the crowd will come support you to the best they can, so you're 714 00:42:47,130 --> 00:42:49,469 Meb: going to be amazed. And looking beyond the race. What 715 00:42:49,469 --> 00:42:53,010 Meb: do you think this experience will carry over into other 716 00:42:53,010 --> 00:42:55,529 Meb: parts of your life? And leading by example for your 717 00:42:55,530 --> 00:42:56,670 Meb: kids, but what else? 718 00:42:57,030 --> 00:43:03,000 Anna Dina Cruz: Yeah, so this journey has taught me discipline and confidence 719 00:43:03,000 --> 00:43:08,850 Anna Dina Cruz: and resilience, and I'm hoping to take what I've learned 720 00:43:08,850 --> 00:43:13,560 Anna Dina Cruz: into my everyday life, and just knowing that from this, 721 00:43:14,640 --> 00:43:18,359 Anna Dina Cruz: anything is possible, honestly, anything is possible. I can use 722 00:43:18,360 --> 00:43:23,549 Anna Dina Cruz: it in my everyday life. And goals aren't just, they're 723 00:43:23,550 --> 00:43:25,590 Anna Dina Cruz: not done overnight, it takes time. 724 00:43:26,550 --> 00:43:28,469 Meb: It takes time. And there was a beautiful medal when 725 00:43:29,219 --> 00:43:31,230 Meb: I won the New York City Marathon. If you can make it in 726 00:43:32,130 --> 00:43:35,002 Meb: New York, you can make it anywhere, so (inaudible) 727 00:43:35,160 --> 00:43:38,910 Meb: anything you want. Best wishes and good luck, looking forward 728 00:43:38,910 --> 00:43:39,660 Meb: to seeing you November. 729 00:43:40,260 --> 00:43:42,210 Anna Dina Cruz: Thank you so much. I appreciate it. 730 00:43:42,540 --> 00:43:44,940 Rob Simmelkjaer: Thank you so much for joining us, Dina, and for 731 00:43:44,940 --> 00:43:48,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: being a member of New York Roadrunners. Now it's time 732 00:43:48,060 --> 00:43:49,710 Rob Simmelkjaer: for today's Meb Minutes. 733 00:43:51,930 --> 00:43:56,130 Meb: Thanks, Rob. Welcome back to my mile- by- mile countdown 734 00:43:56,130 --> 00:44:00,029 Meb: to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. This week we are 735 00:44:00,030 --> 00:44:05,130 Meb: counting down to mile 19 to 21 into Bronx. This is where the 736 00:44:05,460 --> 00:44:09,360 Meb: barrier is, the magical wall. If you have trained right 737 00:44:09,360 --> 00:44:11,790 Meb: and you have been patient at the beginning stage of 738 00:44:11,790 --> 00:44:16,230 Meb: the New York City Marathon, you can accelerate and know 739 00:44:16,230 --> 00:44:20,310 Meb: the feeling that the magic wall, has not hit you 740 00:44:20,310 --> 00:44:23,580 Meb: yet, because you've been disciplined. Now if you trained right, this is 741 00:44:23,580 --> 00:44:28,410 Meb: where Williams Avenue Bridge into Bronx short climb, the wall 742 00:44:29,640 --> 00:44:31,920 Meb: it's not there yet, because you've been smart to be 743 00:44:31,920 --> 00:44:35,550 Meb: able to just be patient, and this is where you can say, " 744 00:44:35,550 --> 00:44:38,129 Meb: Hey, how am I doing? I got six miles to 745 00:44:38,130 --> 00:44:43,049 Meb: go." Mile 20, 21 to Bronx, this is a brief moment 746 00:44:43,050 --> 00:44:47,009 Meb: to be able to just say, "You know what? I am feeling good. I'm feeling strong. I've 747 00:44:47,010 --> 00:44:50,100 Meb: been trained for this. I've been saving my energy for 748 00:44:50,100 --> 00:44:52,860 Meb: this. This is not to hit the wall." And if 749 00:44:52,860 --> 00:44:55,560 Meb: you did hit the wall, that's okay because you are 750 00:44:55,560 --> 00:44:59,790 Meb: only about five to six miles away. So, mental game 751 00:44:59,790 --> 00:45:02,460 Meb: becomes now, you can slow down and finish strong. 752 00:45:03,120 --> 00:45:05,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: That does it for another episode of Set the Pace. 753 00:45:05,670 --> 00:45:09,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: We want to thank our guests today, Cole Cook, Antonio 754 00:45:09,390 --> 00:45:13,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: Ruiz Jimenez, and Anna Dina Cruz. If you liked the 755 00:45:13,380 --> 00:45:16,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: episode, make sure you leave us a rating, send us 756 00:45:16,440 --> 00:45:19,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: a message by leaving a comment and subscribe as well, 757 00:45:19,830 --> 00:45:22,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: so you never miss an episode. Good luck to everybody 758 00:45:22,830 --> 00:45:25,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: out there continuing your training. I know some long runs 759 00:45:25,500 --> 00:45:28,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: coming up this weekend for a lot of you, enjoy 760 00:45:28,080 --> 00:45:29,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: the miles. We'll see you next week.