Episode 20 - Alison Mariella Desír, Director of Sports Advocacy at Oiselle

Grounded with Dinée Dorame

“Every run I take now is an exploration of my body and myself…it’s a reminder of how powerful I am. Running remains this discovery of myself and what I can do.”

Alison Mariella Desír is a runner, mother, mental health coach, author, activist, and speaker. She is also the newly minted Director of Sports Advocacy at Oiselle, a running apparel brand that is “by and for women.” She is also an ambassador for HOKA ONE ONE. We dive into just about everything here, including how she started running, her academic journey, mental health, and how running has changed for her over the years. Alison is truly a pillar in the running community and in January 2021, she was named by Women’s Running as one of the 20 women who are changing the sport of running and the world. She also graced the cover of Outside magazine last winter as one of their featured “Outsiders of the Year.” Prior to moving to Seattle, WA for her position at Oiselle, Alison was based out of New York where she founded and led Harlem Run, an NYC-based running movement. She also founded Run 4 All Women, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars on behalf of organizations like Planned Parenthood and Womxn Run the Vote. Alison holds her BA in History, MA in Latin American and Caribbean Regional Studies, and MA in Counseling Psychology, all from Columbia University. She has a forthcoming book titled, “The Unbearable Whiteness of Running,” set to be released in October 2022.

In This Episode:

• Oiselle - Women’s Running Apparel
• Oiselle Volée Team Membership
• Harlem Run
• Run 4 All Women
• Running Industry Diversity Coalition
• Alison’s Press & Media – you can find all her magazine appearances and articles here!
• Columbia Clefhangers (A capella Group)

Follow Alison Mariella Desír:

• Instagram: @alisonmdesir
• Twitter: @AlisonMDesir
• Website: http://alisonmdesir.com/

Follow Grounded Pod:

• Instagram: @groundedpod
• Twitter: @groundedpod
• Facebook: facebook.com/groundedpodwithdinee

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Music by Jacob Shije (Santa Clara Pueblo, NM).

This podcast was made possible through the Tracksmith Fellowship Program.