Some stories are told and heard, never to be spoken of again. Others, however, are felt and understood, cascading with a purpose for all who need to hear. This story is the latter, and its lessons will echo through the mountains for years to come.  

Sally McRae, 43, is a BPN athlete, professional trail runner, wife, and mother of two. On July 11th, 2022, she set out to embody all she knows to be true and all she wishes to learn about herself and our shared humanity. Over the course of 81 days, Sally would push the standards of resilience and determination in a challenge of her own creation – the Choose Strong Project.  

507 miles across 5 unrelenting races. A tribute to the 507 months (43 years) in the life of Sally’s late mother. Many people would not finish this project, but very few people have the deeply woven drive that Sally’s life has instilled in her, fueling each of the countless hours of training, preparation, and running that the completion of this challenge would require. 

There’s something about courage that inspires us all. It’s not the victories we admire the most, not the celebrations or the finish lines. We want stories that remind us of how broken we can be and the strength we possess to continue forward, no matter the circumstances.