When a body challenged woman starts running, she enters a 100 mile race to help bring representation to a space lacking diversity and body positivity. Elite Heart features Callie Vinson, who once weighed 377lbs and put her health first and is training to compete in a 100 mile trail race while promoting body positivity, representation, accessibility, diversity and inclusivity at a race where the environment and culture is changing in the right direction. She attempts the Western States Endurance Run 100 and brings the heart of the back of the pack runners to this stage. Will she make it? Or is getting to the start line the celebratory moment?
NOTE: If you’d like to donate to the production and post production of this film, we are still looking for donations to help put towards compensation of the Co-Directors, Producer, Cinematographer, and Editor.
Know To Run represents the opportunities for gaining knowledge, carrying that knowledge and implementing what you’ve learned and best, respectful practices into our own lives to be a good relative to ourselves, to each other, and with the lands. It’s about making an impact, pushing the boundaries, challenging yourself or those around you to create a better path forward for the next runners.
When representation is everything, it can make a difference and have a profound impact when community is included in spaces that lack inclusion and diversity. This short film, Know to Run, featuring Yatika Starr Fields, an Indigenous runner, artist and advocate, is the recipient of GU Energy Labs + Rising Hearts - 2022 Western States Endurance Run (WSER) Race Entry. The exclusive, prestigious, and mainly white race is a 100 mile long ultra marathon. Yatika is the vessel and Indigenous representative that helps bring a better understanding of the land and the peoples who first cared for and who still steward the lands. This film celebrates all the firsts (first land acknowledgement, first Indigenous made poster, first Indigenous runners panel) and continues this kinship into 2024. This was an opportunity The Know to Run discussion will hit on themes of “what are land acknowledgements” and what it means to go beyond, their importance, the inclusion of local Indigenous communities being part of the conversations, making the running and outdoor community a more accessible and equitable place, and what the consultation process looks like. The WSER is a shining example of how to create more pathways to cultivate community in meaningful and sustainable ways.
#KnowToRun #RunningOnNativeLands #Kinship
Lydia Jennings is a member of the Huichol (Wixaritari) and Pascua Yaqui (Yoeme) Nations and holds a doctorate in soil microbiology. Her work is dedicated to environmental science and the essential role of Indigenous communities in these spaces. Her hope is to create more inclusive academic and environmental landscapes.
In place of her graduation, which was cancelled as a result of the pandemic, Lydia instead celebrated by running 50 miles in honor of the Indigenous scientists and knowledge keepers who came before her. It’s a run to honor the past and present, while looking towards the future.
For Indigenous peoples, running has been key not only as a means of prayer and connection, but to deliver messages to neighboring communities, trade routes, a tactic in hunting their prey to exhaustion, ceremony, and welcoming your womanhood, as a Navajo woman. Diné coming of age ceremony for many young women begins with a morning run to the East to welcome the sunrise.
Alex Staten grew up disconnected from her Indigenous culture back on Navajo Nation. She struggles to find connection. Her only connection is her grandmother, with the clock ticking, it’s motivated Alex to gain all the knowledge she can from her matriarch to keep her culture close and to pass on to the next generations. She is trying to find the right to run in ceremony, as an Indigenous - Diné (Navajo) woman. The right to run for her culture, fostering this deeper connection to her family and community.
Through On’s support, Rising Hearts is able to support Alex in her running journey to find that deeper connection to her culture and Indigeneity.
DONATION PACKAGES FOR RIGHT TO RUN: ALEX + RISING HEARTS
$5K WOPILA - THANK YOU PACKAGE: Gets your logo at the end of the film on a shared title card with other sponsors.
$10k CEDAR PACKAGE: Stand alone title card at the end of the film before other sponsors and rights to share and post film on web and social.
Seeking additional $10,000 for post production budget and unexpected fees while filming on location in June 2024.
**DONATIONS: Donations made to Rising Hearts, you will receive the appropriate tax donation information at the end of the year for your tax returns.
RISING HEARTS X ACTIIVST SERIES
Rising Hearts and ACTIIVST care about upfliting the stories of Athlete Advocates who are intersecting their love and passion of running and movement, with advocacy to create change and rebuild a better future. For Rising Hearts, our Running With Purpose Collective supports and learns from 36 Athlete Advocates. Through this collaboration series, we were able to story produce 3 stories, featuring 3 of our Rising Hearts - RWP Athlete Advocates who are putting int he heart work to fight for justice, build community, bring awareness to what’s important to them, and to protect their culture and what is most important to them.
LIMITLESS: JOCELYN RIVAS
Outside Magazine x Under Armour
"There were so many people telling me to stop, but I just kept going. I felt like we needed it." Jocelyn Rivas started running to represent fellow dreamers and inspire other Latinas. She is now.a 3 time world record holder and has no intention of slowing down. Her dedication, kindness, and humor is a powerful combination. We are elated to share her story with Outside Magazine and Under Armour.
Story Producer: Rising Hearts / Jordan Whetstone