Beyond the Lakes: Dr. Cornetta Mosley on Finding Freedom in Running
In this inspiring episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with Dr. Cornetta Mosley, Run Captain for Run It Up Dallas and professor of audiology at UT Dallas.
Dr. Mosley takes us through her evolution as a runner—from her days as a sprinter and hurdler at Lake Highlands High School, to discovering the meditative power of distance running around the lakes at LSU, all the way to becoming a marathon runner and community leader in Dallas.
But this conversation goes far beyond personal PRs. Netta opens up about the radical work Run It Up is doing to create space for Black and Brown runners in a sport that has historically lacked diversity. She shares the philosophy behind what she calls "the beautiful bait and switch"—attracting people with the energy and community, then watching them fall in love with running itself.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
- How running became Netta's "most successful relationship" and mental escape
- The transition from competitive sprinting to finding freedom in distance running
- Why representation matters in running and on the podium
- The Run It Up Foundation's impact through health clinics, screenings, and literacy programs
- The transformative "Get Off the Couch" program and its life-changing results
- How community and leadership create sustainable change in people's lives
Whether you're a seasoned runner or just getting started, this episode will remind you why running is about so much more than miles—it's about building community, creating opportunity, and transforming lives.
Connect with Run It Up Dallas on Instagram and join a movement that's changing the face of running in DFW.
Episode Video
Creators and Guests
Host
Chris Detzel
Chris Detzel is the passionate host and creator of "DFW Running Talk," the premier podcast dedicated to showcasing the vibrant running community across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Since launching the show in October 2024, Chris has established himself as a central voice in North Texas running culture, conducting in-depth conversations with elite athletes, coaches, race directors, and inspiring everyday runners who define the region's diverse running scene. As both interviewer and active participant in the DFW running community, Chris brings an authentic perspective shaped by years of personal running experience. While he describes himself as primarily a half marathon runner rather than a marathoner - citing the extensive training commitment and unpredictability of marathon race day - his deep knowledge of running culture spans the full spectrum from 5Ks to ultramarathons. His preference for half marathons stems from their balance of challenge and accessibility, allowing him to race monthly without the intensive training demands of longer distances. Chris's connection to elite running runs through his family - his wife Lea Ivy is an accomplished marathoner who has completed the Boston Marathon 12 times consecutively, achieving a personal best of 3:14 at age 45. This personal connection to high-level competition, combined with his own running journey, gives Chris unique insight into both the elite and recreational sides of the sport. He often travels to Boston to support Lea's racing and has become part of the broader running community that gathers around major events like the Boston Marathon. Through DFW Running Talk, Chris has created more than just a podcast - he's built a platform that celebrates the depth and diversity of North Texas running talent. His interviews reveal the stories behind local legends, from sub-3:00 marathoners to innovative coaches, from race directors creating memorable experiences to everyday runners achieving extraordinary personal transformations. The show has featured conversations with accomplished athletes like Shantel Cloud (sub-3:00 marathoner), Travis Dowd (Dallas Marathon winner), and Mimi Smith (Olympic Trials competitor), alongside community builders and running industry professionals. What sets Chris apart as a host is his ability to connect with guests on multiple levels - as a fellow runner who understands training cycles and race strategy, as a community member invested in the local running scene, and as a skilled interviewer who draws out both technical insights and personal stories. His approach prioritizes authentic conversation over surface-level inspiration, resulting in episodes that offer genuine value to runners of all levels. Based in the Dallas area, Chris continues to grow DFW Running Talk's reach across multiple platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube, while maintaining strong connections to local running organizations like Dallas Running Club and participating in the broader Texas running community. His work documents and celebrates a running culture that he believes is "way more badass than it has any right to be."
Guest
Dr. Cornetta Mosley
Dr. Cornetta "Netta" Mosley is a professor of audiology at the University of Texas at Dallas, Run Captain for Run It Up Dallas, and a passionate advocate for health equity and representation in running. As an educator, Dr. Mosley teaches hearing science to doctoral and master's students, helping train the next generation of audiologists and speech pathologists. But after 5 PM, you'll find her leading one of Dallas's most vibrant and inclusive running communities. Netta's relationship with running began in third grade on the track at Lake Highlands High School, where she competed as a sprinter and hurdler. During her undergraduate years at LSU, she discovered distance running as a form of meditation and freedom, logging countless miles around the university's lakes. After earning her PhD in Seattle, she returned to Texas and found her true calling: building community through movement. As Run Captain of Run It Up Dallas, Netta is part of a leadership team creating transformative change in the Dallas running scene. She's committed to increasing representation of Black and Brown runners in the sport, both at the start line and on the podium. Under her leadership, she spearheaded the "Get Off the Couch" program through the Run It Up Foundation—a six-week initiative that goes beyond fitness to build confidence and transform how participants see themselves. For Netta, running isn't just about personal records—it's about watching community members discover their own strength, one mile at a time.