Breaking Down to Break Through: How Julie Rembold Overcame 4 Years of Health Issues to Return to Elite Running

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."

Julie Rembold is a Dallas-based distance runner who began her marathon journey at age 37 and quickly established herself as a formidable competitor. Despite having no background in track or cross country, Julie's natural speed and endurance abilities propelled her from a 3:47 marathon debut in 2017 to a 2:51 Boston qualifier just two years later. A mother of five children, Julie balances her running pursuits with family life and has become an advocate for showing children the importance of pursuing personal passions. Her athletic journey began somewhat accidentally when she joined a friend's half marathon training group as a way to meet other moms after relocating to North Carolina with her first child. Julie's running story took a dramatic turn when she experienced a four-year period of mysterious health issues that affected both her performance and daily life. Using her engineering background and determination to find answers, she extensively researched nutrition and physiology, ultimately discovering that mineral imbalances stemming from multiple pregnancies were at the root of her problems. Her self-directed recovery approach, focusing on natural nutrition sources over synthetic supplements, has made her a passionate advocate for holistic health approaches. After completing her recovery, Julie has transitioned into health coaching, helping others who face similar unexplained health challenges. She also taught chemistry and coaches cross country at her children's school, sharing her love of both science and running with the next generation. Now 45, Julie continues to pursue competitive marathon goals while maintaining her focus on balanced health and family priorities. She trains under coach Roy Linkletter and remains active in the growing Dallas-Fort Worth running community. Her story demonstrates the power of self-advocacy in health matters and the possibility of achieving athletic goals at any stage of life. Julie's personal records include a 2:51 marathon (Boston 2019) and she continues to target sub-2:45 performances in upcoming races.