Running With Endurance: Faith, Stewardship, and Training With Purpose
A Conversation with Dr. Elly Salamanca
Endurance, both physical and spiritual, is not built overnight. It is shaped through consistency, discipline, and a willingness to show up day after day, even when motivation fades. In a recent episode of the Kingdom Strength Podcast, Dr. Troy Briscoe sat down with chiropractor and runner Dr. Elly Salamanca to explore how faith, running, and clinical care intersect in meaningful and practical ways.
What followed was a rich conversation touching on discipleship, movement, injury prevention, endurance training, and the importance of stewarding the body with wisdom rather than fear.
A Testimony Rooted in Surrender
Dr. Salamanca grew up in a Christian home, with her father serving as a pastor. While she was familiar with God from an early age, her personal relationship with Christ did not fully take shape until her undergraduate years. Like many who grow up around the church, her faith became real only after a season of stepping away and ultimately surrendering her life to Christ.
A pivotal verse in her journey was Galatians 2:20, which became a marker of full surrender and identity in Christ. Her testimony reflects a common but powerful truth: walking with the Lord is not a straight line, but a process of continual growth, sanctification, and dependence on God’s faithfulness.
This foundation shapes not only her spiritual life, but also the way she approaches movement, discipline, and patient care.
From “I Hate Running” to Running With Purpose
Ironically, running was not something Elly initially enjoyed. For years, she carried a quiet desire to run a half marathon or marathon—while openly admitting she disliked running. That changed when a simple conversation with a friend led to signing up for a race.
What began as a personal challenge soon became a mission. Elly started documenting her training journey online, not to showcase elite performance, but to provide accountability and transparency. She shared the non-aesthetic, realistic side of running—the early mornings, the slow miles, the discomfort, and the discipline required to keep going.
That honesty resonated. Many people saw themselves reflected in her experience and felt encouraged to move their bodies without comparison or shame. Over time, her content evolved into a community that emphasized consistency over speed and longevity over performance metrics.
Discipline Beyond Motivation
A recurring theme throughout the conversation was the difference between motivation and discipline. Motivation is fleeting; discipline is cultivated.
Running—and training in general—forces individuals to confront this reality. Some days feel easy. Many do not. Yet showing up consistently, even when enthusiasm is low, builds both physical capacity and character.
This mirrors discipleship. Following Christ requires daily faithfulness, not emotional highs. As Dr. Salamanca and Dr. Briscoe discussed, the discipline learned through training often reinforces spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Scripture reading, and obedience.
A Clinical Perspective on Running and Injury Prevention
As a chiropractor who works closely with active individuals, Dr. Salamanca brings a grounded clinical lens to endurance training. One of the most common patterns she sees—both personally and in practice—is doing too much, too soon.
Many runners jump from inactivity to high mileage without appropriate progression, significantly increasing injury risk. Tendinopathies, overuse injuries, and persistent pain often stem from exceeding tissue capacity rather than from running itself.
Education plays a critical role here. Understanding load management, gradual progression, and recovery allows runners to train smarter and remain active long-term.
Strength Training Still Matters for Endurance Athletes
A key educational takeaway from the episode was the importance of resistance training for runners. While endurance athletes often prioritize mileage, neglecting strength work can limit tissue resilience and performance.
Proper programming often involves:
Gradually increasing running volume over time
Maintaining strength training to support joints and tissues
Adjusting intensity and volume as race day approaches
This approach not only supports performance but also reduces injury risk by improving tissue capacity and movement efficiency.
Shoes, Minimalism, and Comfort
Footwear is a frequent topic among runners, and Dr. Salamanca emphasized a practical, individualized approach. Rather than promoting a single “best” shoe, she highlighted comfort, fit, and gradual adaptation as key considerations.
Wide toe boxes, appropriate cushioning, and comfort during progressive mileage increases matter far more than trends. Sudden switches—such as moving from highly cushioned shoes to minimalist footwear—can place unexpected stress on tissues if not introduced gradually.
Ultimately, the “best” shoe is the one that supports consistent, pain-free movement for the individual wearing it.
PCOS, Running, and Breaking Fear-Based Narratives
One of the most impactful segments of the conversation centered on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Dr. Salamanca addressed a common and often fear-inducing claim: that running is inherently bad for individuals with PCOS due to stress and cortisol concerns.
While context matters, broad statements like this can discourage movement altogether. In reality, exercise—including running—can be beneficial when programmed appropriately. Fear-based messaging often prevents individuals from engaging in activities they might genuinely enjoy and benefit from.
Dr. Salamanca shared examples of women who avoided running entirely due to these misconceptions, even when their bodies were clearly capable of more than they believed. Education and nuance are essential to empower individuals rather than restrict them.
Identity, Stewardship, and Long-Term Health
At the heart of the episode was a simple but profound message: stay rooted in identity in Christ and move your body with intention.
Health and fitness should never become a source of identity or worth. Instead, movement is a form of stewardship—a way to care for the body God has entrusted to us. Whether through walking, lifting, running, or rehabilitation, movement supports physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Dr. Salamanca closed the conversation with encouragement to pursue health without comparison, fear, or external pressure—focusing instead on consistency, purpose, and long-term sustainability.
Final Takeaway
This conversation serves as a reminder that endurance is built through faithfulness—both in training and in life. When movement is approached with wisdom, education, and humility, it becomes a powerful tool for stewardship rather than self-worth.
As emphasized throughout the episode:
Discipline outlasts motivation
Progression matters more than intensity
Identity in Christ anchors both success and setbacks
Move your body. Train with purpose. Stay rooted in who you are in Christ.
