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- Breath of Balance
Breath of Balance
Holistic Harmony
Mitchell Flaherty
July 03, 2025
Hello and welcome to Breath of Balance where we talk about how to balance your personal health and wellness in our daily lives.
For the relatively short amount of time I have existed in this crazy thing we call life. I have come to understand that it is not the great declarations of change that move us forward on our journey of discovering who we want to be in this life. It is the small practices, the moments that we spend in the pure presence of self, with a deep breath and smile knowing we got this.
It’s in those moments that we turn another degree closer to our true life’s direction.
Thank you for choosing to come along with me. In this weekly newsletter I will talk about the small things. The practices that I have used that have allowed me to find balance and the new topics and practices I will continue to learn along the way.
Meet new people while achieving new milestones!
Joining your local run club offers a range of physical, mental, and social benefits. Here are some of the top reasons why it's worth considering:
🏃♂️ Fitness & Motivation
Accountability: Regular group runs help you stick to your goals.
Motivation: Running with others can push you to go farther or faster than you would alone.
Structured Training: Many clubs offer training plans for races like 5Ks, half marathons, or marathons.
👥 Community & Social Connection
Meet Like-Minded People: Great way to make friends and connect with people who share your goals.
Inclusive Environment: Most clubs welcome all levels—beginners to seasoned runners.
Social Events: Many clubs host post-run hangouts, race trips, or other social activities.
🧠 Mental Health Benefits
Stress Relief: Running with others can help you unwind and feel supported.
Camaraderie: Shared struggle and achievement build strong bonds and boost mental resilience.
🏅 Skill & Performance Improvement
Tips & Coaching: Learn better form, pacing, and nutrition from experienced runners or club coaches.
Pacing Help: Running with a group helps develop better pacing and race strategies.
Increased Confidence: As you see progress and get encouragement, your confidence grows.
🌎 Opportunities & Access
Race Discounts: Many clubs have partnerships with races or brands.
Explore New Routes: Discover local trails and running paths you might not have tried on your own.
Volunteer & Give Back: Some clubs are involved in community events and charity races.
Even if you're not competitive, a run club can be an energizing, fun, and supportive way to make running a more enjoyable part of your life. Want help finding a local one or choosing the right type of club? Being a Milwaukee native that is where I will concentrate my efforts.
Milwaukee Running Group (OMG)
Schedules 12–20+ runs per week, year-round.
All abilities and ages welcome, strong social community (beer miles, holiday parties, camping trips).
Minimal annual fee (~$5) with Facebook/Meetup presence.
FEAR MKE (Forget — Everything — And — Run)
Run crew focused on diversity, inclusivity, and community for young professionals.
Weekly Tuesday 6 PM runs (~1–3 miles) and Saturday lakefront long runs.
Membership offers gear and race discounts.
Badgerland Striders
Wisconsin’s oldest and largest running club (est. 1959; ~2000+ members).
Hosts fun runs, track workouts, marathon buildup programs, and social events.
Competitive membership ($25/year), with discounts and structured training.
Performance Running Outfitters Run Club
Free runs 3× per week:
Monday 6 PM at Lakefront Brewery (3 miles),
Wednesday 6 PM in Third Ward (3–4 miles),
Saturday 8:30 AM at Brookfield store (runs/walks 1.5–6 miles).
Social refreshments follow runs (pints, coffee, flapjacks).
Buena Tierra Run Club
Non-profit, Latino-influenced community club.
Meets Wednesdays at 6 PM (Zócalo) and Sundays at 9 AM (La Finca).
Welcomes all paces/distances; inclusive and cultural focus.
City Limits Run Club
Hosts Saturday morning 5K runs.
Active community engagement through social media and Instagram.
How to Choose the Right Club
Your Goal | Best Match | Why |
|---|---|---|
Maximum run frequency & social | OMG | Numerous runs and vibrant community |
Inclusive/community focus | FEAR MKE or Buena Tierra | Emphasis on diversity and cultural engagement |
Training for races (e.g. marathon) | Badgerland Striders | Structured training programs |
Casual/local runs | PRO Run Club or City Limits | No membership, flexible schedule |
Next Steps
Visit each club’s website or Facebook group to check the full run schedule and locations.
Show up at a beginner-friendly group — no need to commit yet.
Consider membership if you plan to attend regularly or want race support.
Book Nook
Weekly recommended reading from my bookshelf.
I read this book when I was pretty new to being into recovery. I had just let go of a lot of the things that were in large part the make up of my self image. As anyone in recovery can tell you putting the substance down is a defining moment, but that’s only the beginning. Through the personal stories & the guided meditations I was able to accept myself for who I was in that moment of time. It gave my the space and peace of mind to see where I wanted to go.
Healthy Recipe
Mediterranean Steak Bowl
This Mediterranean Steak Bowl with Herbed-Yogurt Dressing is proof that food served in bowls just tastes better. A bed of crisp greens and veggies provides the perfect contrast to creamy hummus, sweet grilled tomatoes, and tender steak. And the dressing plus a sprinkle of salty feta cheese brings it all together for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Share the Buzz Now!
Share the Wellness with Your Friends!
I hope you’ve found value in this newsletter, wisdom grows when it’s passed on. By spreading knowledge and inspiration, you’re not only supporting others on their journey, but also reinforcing your own path toward a bountiful and balanced life. When we uplift one another, we create a ripple effect of growth, connection, and well-being that benefits us all. Let’s thrive together—share today.