Ms. McDanel is a runner, too. She has completed seven marathons. “I like to run because it makes me feel powerful,” she says. “It makes my mind sharp and my body strong.” She also stays healthy by drinking a lot of water, swimming, and practicing yoga. She says she laughs a lot, too, so she doesn’t get stressed. Ms. McDanel says many children don’t like running at first. Initially, they stick with it because they want to spend time with their friends and their mentors. Ultimately, she says, they come because they start enjoying the activity. “Reaching beyond what you think is possible is so important,” she says. “It will give you the path for the rest of your life.” —By Linette Flores, Malachi Culbreath, Yazzmin Hernandez, Amira Johnson, Amayrami Lopez, and Rachel Poley Gotwals Healthy Press Illustration by Tamiara Childs, Hope Partnership Healthy Hope