Lisa Felder

I attribute my success largely to the influence of a mentor who owned a store in Berkeley and believed in me enough to sponsor me. He was incredibly demanding when it came to studying and truly mastering the craft of coaching. Every day, he would challenge me by asking, "What did you learn today? What empowered you today?" He instilled in me the conviction that to be a great coach, I had to know everything — from tendons, ligaments, and joints to the nuances of sports nutrition. I absorbed everything he shared, took detailed notes, and let his guidance shape the way I approach coaching to this day. That relentless commitment to learning and empowering others is the foundation of everything I have built.

The best career advice I ever received was simply this: never give up, and always be strong in whatever you choose to pursue. My mentor reinforced this every day — pushing me to study, to grow, and to know my craft inside and out. He made it clear that excellence requires dedication, not just passion. But beyond the technical knowledge, the deeper message was to remain empowered in what I do and to give it everything I have. That philosophy has stayed with me throughout my entire career and continues to guide how I coach and inspire others.

My advice is this: be everything you are capable of being, and never allow doubt to convince you otherwise. You can do anything you set your mind to — the only limits are the ones you place on yourself. I always say, tough people last, but tough times don't. Whatever obstacles come your way, keep going. I encourage every young woman, and truly anyone at any stage of life, to continue pursuing their goals and to never give up. Education and perseverance are everything. Stay the course, believe in your strength, and know that your resilience will always outlast any challenge you face.

The most significant challenge I face is recruiting and retaining Black runners in the trail running community. When I first began this work, I had no idea how deep the barriers ran. Many runners I approached asked, "What's in it for me? Are you going to pay me to run?" I quickly discovered that the issue went far beyond motivation — many simply didn't have access to trail running, didn't feel welcome in those spaces, and couldn't afford the cost of participation, which can range anywhere from $100 to $1,600 per race. When I brought this reality back to race directors, I was told to find sponsors. So I did — I sought out organizations willing to support this cause and began flying runners in to compete in events like the Miwok 100K, which features over 12,000 feet of climb. The results have been remarkable, and this year we had an outstanding group of runners. That said, the work is far from finished. I want to see this kind of access and inclusion expanded to races across the entire country. Another ongoing challenge is navigating resistance within the running community itself — some athletes struggle with the discipline required to follow a structured program, and that can be discouraging. But my commitment to seeing every runner succeed keeps me focused and moving forward.

The values that guide everything I do are perseverance, empowerment, continuous learning, and inclusivity. I believe that giving up is never an option — in running or in life. I am deeply committed to empowering others, whether that means coaching an athlete through their first ultramarathon or advocating for underrepresented runners who deserve a place on the trails. I hold education in the highest regard and firmly believe that growth never stops — there is always more to learn, more to master. And above all, I am driven by a passion for making the running world more inclusive, more welcoming, and more equitable for everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.