Why We Run:
Stories from Women Who Have Navigated Obstacles, Hit Our Stride, and Finished Strong
Ruth is gathering contributing authors for this upcoming anthology, where women share their powerful stories of overcoming obstacles, finding strength through running, and embracing resilience to finish strong. Each chapter will offer valuable insights into the transformative power of perseverance and the drive to keep moving forward.
Why We Run: Stories from Women Who Have Navigated Obstacles, Hit Our Stride, and Finished Strong is a collection of personal stories from women who have faced challenges, embraced resilience, and found strength through movement. Running is more than a sport—it’s a testament to perseverance, healing, and the courage to keep moving forward, no matter what lies ahead.
This upcoming anthology will bring together voices that reflect the many reasons women run: to reclaim their power, to process grief, to heal from trauma or disease, to chase a dream, to prove something to themselves—or simply for the joy of movement. Each story will serve as a reminder that the journey shapes us just as much as the finish line.
Ruth Hetland, as the lead author, is excited to partner with Jessica Buchanan and Soul Speak Press to bring this vision to life. Whether you’re a seasoned runner, just starting out, or someone who finds strength in motion, consider joining us. Sharing your story could inspire others and connect you to a larger story—one of transformation and the undeniable power of women.
The Why We Run anthology project will begin once all contributing author spots are filled, with publication planned for 2027.
Meet Ruth Hetland
Lead Author
Ruth Hetland is an everyday runner who has been lacing up her shoes for years—running on and off—and recently completed her first marathon at age 58. She runs because it’s good for her, working as a personal practice—not professionally, and not every day.
As a contributing author in Jessica Buchanan’s first anthology, Deserts to Mountaintops: Our Collective Journey to (re)Claiming Our Voice, Ruth understands the vulnerability and strength required to share a personal story. Ruth’s memoir manifesto, Invisible to Invincible: How to Create a Work Culture Where Everyone Feels Like a Superhero, launched in March 2025, and she is passionate about supporting others to share their voices through writing.
Ruth brings her experience to the Why We Run anthology project, offering valuable insight and support to the contributing authors as they share their stories. She is dedicated to helping each writer find their voice with confidence, knowing that every journey—whether in running or writing—is one of personal growth and empowerment.
It’s not just about finishing races—it’s about moving through hard things and finding strength along the way.
— Ruth Hetland
From Survival to Storytelling: Jessica Buchanan’s Journey
Jessica Buchanan is the founder of Soul Speak Press and the writing coach for the Why We Run anthology project.
On October 25, 2011, while on a routine field mission in Somalia, working as the Education Advisor for her non-governmental organization, Jessica was abducted at gunpoint and held for ransom by a group of Somali pirates for 93 days. Forced to live outdoors in deplorable conditions, starved, and terrorized by more than two dozen gangsters, Jessica’s health steadily deteriorated until, by order of President Obama, she was rescued by the elite SEAL Team VI on January 25, 2012.
Jessica chronicled her story in the New York Times bestseller and 2013 USA Best Book Award/Autobiography, Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six.
Jessica created Deserts to Mountaintops, a collection of anthologies published by Soul Speak Press, to tell women’s stories of resilience, strength, and survival. This dream was born out of Jessica’s own experience of self-abandonment and how she found her way back to the mountaintop of self-love. She is now committed to helping other women tell their stories.
Can You See Yourself Here?
We are looking for women who are pushing themselves forward through running and want to inspire others by sharing their journeys. If you’ve faced challenges, gained insight, and are ready to share your story, we want to hear from you. Our ideal contributing authors are women who:
Are on a health and fitness journey and could capture that experience in 5000 words or less. We are very open to your interpretation of the topic!
Are ready to tell us what you have learned about yourself through this physical endeavor.
Are looking to launch into the professional speaking industry and are in need of published assets to establish credibility.
Are in need of building your network, audience, and social media platforms in order to meet future professional goals.
Would benefit from coaching support from a professional speaker, NYT and Amazon bestselling author.
Would flourish with group support and peer feedback as you compose and share your stories with the world.
Would love the opportunity to become a bestselling author.
Would benefit from learning the ins and outs of book marketing, promotion, and PR.
Feel compelled to heal with your personal story of transformation in order to advocate, educate, inspire, and empower other women to do the same.
Have always dreamed of holding your own published work in your hands and thrive in groups of supportive women.
Why Contribute?
Here’s what’s included in the Why We Run anthology project:
One narrative chapter contribution with comprehensive editing, feedback, and developmental support
Two one-on-one coaching sessions with professional speaker, NYT and Amazon bestselling author, and writing coach, Jessica Buchanan
One 90-minute Writing Workshop Group Session
Four more group coaching and feedback sessions, including writing support, marketing and PR instructions, audiobook training, and more
Peer support for chapter submission
Option to participate in a Video Trailer promoting Why We Run: Stories from Women Who Have Navigated Obstacles, Hit Our Stride, and Finished Strong
Production, publishing, and uploading of all versions of Why We Run: Stories from Women Who Have Navigated Obstacles, Hit Our Stride, and Finished Strong for worldwide distribution through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Ingram, and other trade outlets
Advance copies available at wholesale prices for your own personal distribution and sale
Amazon Bestseller Campaign
Audiobook publishing support and upload on Audible: You buy your equipment, and we professionally edit your chapter
Branded social media assets personalized and curated to promote the project and your new role as a BEST SELLING AUTHOR!
The opportunity to expand your audience and network by 10x through cross-promotion with other collaborating authors
The guarantee of becoming a BEST SELLING AUTHOR on Amazon
The opportunity to create sacred community with other inspiring women authors on the collective theme of reclaiming your body through your fitness journey
A personalized PR and marketing package designed specifically for this project that you can use to launch your work upon publication
Meet Our Contributing Authors
These incredible women have joined the Why We Run anthology project to share their inspiring stories of strength, resilience, and transformation. Each chapter will offer a unique perspective on overcoming obstacles and finding power through running. Stay tuned for more updates as we celebrate the powerful voices shaping this collection.
Caitie Reed
Caitie Reed is a nurse educator who works at the community college level and still practices as a registered nurse part time in acute care. Caitie was born and raised in Southwest Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains! She is passionate about running and began her journey later in life as an outlet for trauma recovery. Caitie works actively with a non-profit that supports outdoor recreation and a newly developed running and walking ministry at her church to help encourage others to move their bodies. Caitie is a proud trail runner who loves the great outdoors! She has participated in races of many different distances, with 25k being her favorite! Caitie’s long-term goals are to complete a 100k and a 100-miler!
Caitie joined the Why We Run project because over the years, she has met so many amazing people through running. Each one has a different story to tell, but the common theme has been “resilience”. Caitie believes all runners’ stories deserve to be told, and this is the perfect opportunity to share the healing power of running!
Micol Neely
Micol Neely is a healthcare leader, entrepreneur, podcast host, single mother, and 100-mile ultramarathon runner who has never been afraid to do hard things—or do them her own way. For her, running isn’t just about collecting miles. It’s where she finds freedom, fights through life’s messiest moments, and reminds herself exactly how strong she is.
Micol is joining Why We Run as a contributing author because behind every runner is a story worth telling—and usually, the real story begins long before the starting line. By sharing hers with honesty, heart, and a little sass, she hopes other runners will be brave enough to share theirs too. You don’t have to be the fastest, run the farthest, or have it all figured out. You just need a story, a pair of shoes, and the courage to begin.
Could this be you?
If you’re ready to share your story of overcoming obstacles, we invite you to submit your information for consideration in the Why We Run anthology project.
Together, we can inspire others with our journeys of strength.