Transforming Trauma to Purpose Through Running

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Women's Running Stories Podcast:  December 2025

Click Here for Podcast:   Caryn Honig: Transforming Trauma to Purpose through Running - Women's Running Stories 

This episode features Caryn Honig, who tells her running and athletic story which, at its core, is about finding purpose through life’s challenges. Caryn is someone who goes all in, with drive and passion. That’s resulted in great accomplishments as well as great difficulties, and here she shares it all. 

In recent times, Caryn—who lives in Texas and also spends a lot of time in Colorado—became the first person (as far as we can find) to qualify for and run the Boston Marathon after a knee replacement surgery, thanks to a procedure done by Dr Richard Berger. 

And, Caryn’s story is about that, but also so much more. Caryn has faced significant traumas in life, among them experiences with disordered eating, and she has been impacted by suicide.

In her story, she talks about this, and also how the challenges and struggles she’s faced have resulted in fueling her purpose in life. So, for instance, Caryn’s had a long career as a dietitian specializing in helping people to overcome disordered eating. She’s been a leader in this field, beginning at a time when so little was known on the topic and treatment was rare to nonexistent. Caryn founded and ran an eating disorder outpatient practice for over 20 years.  She’s also worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston for over 20 years. 

In addition, Caryn founded Poppy’s Run for Life, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for suicide education and prevention programs.

Currently, Caryn is also going after her latest big personal running challenge: running a marathon in every state! 

There are many powerful moments in Caryn’s story, and it is truly inspirational. 

 Caryn Honig: Transforming Trauma to Purpose through Running - Women's Running Stories