The Green Shift: Stories from the Frontlines of Sustainability

Tina Muir is a former elite runner turned sustainability advocate, speaker, and founder of Running for Real, a global community and podcast that champions environmental responsibility, mental health, and inclusivity in the running world. After stepping away from competitive racing at the peak of her career to prioritize her health and well-being, Tina found a new calling in using her platform to inspire positive change. Through her podcast, blog, and events, she empowers athletes and everyday runners to embrace a more sustainable, mindful, and holistic approach to life. Tina's mission is to create a space where every runner feels seen, heard, and motivated to make a real impact both on and off the track.

Q: How has your personal running journey influenced the mission and values of Running for Real?

Running For Real first came to be because I was struggling with the idea that most professional runners were (at the time) giving off this image that everything for them (us) was easy, and that showing vulnerability or difficulty was a sign of weakness. While I loved chasing goals and achieving them, I had just retired from professional running and was having a bit of an identity crisis without my running accolades. Running For Real gave me a place to connect with my community through our weaknesses, our struggles, and the hard moments, while at the same time showing me that my achievements were not the only thing I had to offer the world. Running For Real became a place to have the hard conversations, to speak our truths, and give back to a sport that gave us so much.

Q:  Can you share a bit about your transition from being a professional runner to becoming an advocate for mental health and sustainability?

For many years of my life, everything revolved around my running. My loved ones all had to arrange their lives around what I needed to be the best I could be, and they were happy to do so, but I was left feeling a bit hollow and empty; it was all taking. When I reached the point where I was ready to step away from that, I knew I wanted to be the one giving, supporting, encouraging. I had a big secret I had kept for nine years (not having a period) that I knew brought a lot of mental health challenges with it, as well as physical ones. I knew how lonely and broken I felt because my body wasn’t functioning correctly, and I wanted to do something that would mean others wouldn’t feel alone in that way.

The sustainability piece was always a part of me and the way I lived my life, but the confidence I gained from speaking out about REDs (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) gave me the confidence to know I could stand up for other things I believed in. So with the not-so-gentle nudge from a best friend (we all need those!), I began to speak about climate change and I saw the relief in others for finally being told it was okay to not be a perfect environmentalist.

Q: Sustainability is a big focus of yours. Can you share some practical tips for runners who want to make their training more eco-friendly?

Yes! Running and climate action are in many ways very similar. Both require a commitment every day, one that many other people do not understand, and easily leave us feeling as though what we are doing is not enough. Both are most successful when we are connected with others in our journeys and our goals. 

For tips, running is a sport that allows us to use our body to move, and while we may not always be able to do this, we can mix our runs with errands. We could run to the library to pick up a book we requested; we could run to the bank to deposit a check; or run to pick up our car from an oil change.

I also tell people to consider the quality of the clothing they purchase. If we purchase running clothes made from cheaply-made synthetic materials, they will break down quickly (especially with the tough treatment they get from sweat and many washes). If we select clothes made from high quality, natural materials whenever possible, we need fewer of them and they can handle multiple runs before needing a wash.

Finally, get out for a plog. Grab your Repurpose bags and combine your next easy run with a trash pickup. It keeps the pace nice and easy, is something you can do with or without friends, and will inspire others to think about the way they view the planet.

Q: What inspired and motivated you to be involved in the sustainability space?

I loved the movie FernGully as a child; I really think that started it for me. My dad was always somewhat climate conscious too, but not in a public speaking kind of way, just instilling in us that resources are precious and we shouldn’t waste things. I felt inspired by people like Greta Thunberg and my friend, Marinel Ubaldo, but also recognized that a lot of the climate activists and environmentalists out there seemed very extreme, in a way that I knew most people would simply not be able to achieve. I wanted to carve a space to bring in the majority of people, to show them that they don't have to go vegan or never fly again, but that if we all did a little better, it could have a big impact.

Q: What’s the most impactful change you've implemented in your personal or professional life to promote sustainability?

I try to be very conscious and purposeful with my travel. I do have to travel for work, which could be seen as ironic, and I am sure some see it as hypocritical, but I am very thoughtful with every trip about what the reason is for doing it and how I can maximize what I am doing. Part of that means giving myself the compassion to say that sometimes a trip might be for my mental health and to prevent burnout, and that is okay if it allows me to keep doing the work I do believe is making a difference. I also have really loved getting to know the various public transport options in cities I travel to. Just because I have to fly somewhere doesn't mean giving up on all sustainable choices once I get there; I think that's a lesson most people could take. Also, choosing to use public transport like Amtrak that takes much longer can have some benefits over flying. As a mother, I love to use that uninterrupted time to get work done that otherwise I would fill with other things.

Q: How do you overcome challenges in your sustainability efforts, and what keeps you motivated?

I definitely reach moments when I struggle, when I feel like I am not doing enough, or even having an impact at all. Sometimes it feels overwhelming and too big of a problem. What keeps me motivated is surrounding myself with people who are also out there doing the work, trying their hardest to make change happen (and yes, the amazing humans at Repurpose come to mind for this too!). When I am struggling, I call friends who get it and just let my feelings out. Knowing they understand that feeling and can support me means the world.

Q: Can you share a specific project or initiative you're particularly proud of and its impact?

I could share big examples like the New York City or Chicago Marathon or other ego-building activations I have done, like publishing Becoming A Sustainable Runner with my co-author, Zoë Rom, but ultimately, what comes to mind is reaching out to my daughter’s preschool to meet with the principal. It’s a pretty big preschool, with around 200 kids, but by talking to the principal about composting, she then implemented it a few months later. Sometimes people just need a little nudge to make a big impact. All those kids aged 2-5 are now learning about the importance of composting and may go home to their parents to talk about it; that is how change happens.

Q: How do you see the future of sustainability evolving in the running community, and what role do you hope to play in it?

I think it is gaining momentum and people are more aware of the impact we can have when we organize and mobilize. We are seeing examples of kids pushing for change; my other daughter’s elementary school principal told me (I also met with her) that kids signed four pages of a petition to allow chickens on property. I think the kids coming up now are going to be very adept at talking about this and will push their parents, who have the potential to really move the needle. I hope to be that resource and example for people of showing that wherever you start, what matters is that you do something. When we come together, we can do amazing things, and I can't wait to see what that looks like.

We would like to thank Tina for taking the time to speak with us! You will see a lot more of her on our Repurpose platforms as we follow along at her plogs (jogging and picking up litter 😉)  with our compostable trash bags, of course! 

 We invite you to support and keep up with Tina by following them on Instagram @tinamuir and @runningforreal, the Running for Real podcast is available to listen to on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, Podtail, and their website! 

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and innovative ideas from leaders and visionaries in the sustainable space. Together, we're shining a light on the path to a greener future!