U.K.-based blogger Michelle Penny embarked on a voyage that kept her running, sprinting and walking all the way from the England to the United States. (Well, there was a Facebook-related bet with singer Billie Myers and a plane involved, but that's just logistics). Michelle set her sights on a journey that many others in her running shoes would've never even dared to consider. The Wonder Woman of the U.K. decided that she was going to train and then run the Los Angeles Marathon all while helping to impact the world in a positive, inspiring way. The first-time runner created a goal and then surpassed it while shedding light on a subject no one, especially in the media, dares to acknowledge: depression and suicide prevention.
Michelle had a little help from her friend Billie, who is most notably recognized for her hit single, "Kiss the Rain," and who recently released all new material with Tea and Sympathy. Once Michelle caught a glimpse of one of Billie's "Unscripted" videos in which Billie talked about wanting to get her Facebook fan page up to 1,000, Michelle threw down the gauntlet and Tweeted, "I'll run a marathon for charity if everyone get Billie Myers Facebook Fan Page up to 1,000." And the rest is social media history, since Billie's fan page boosted to over 1,000 in no time.
Billie Myers
Billie had publicly struggled with depression and subsequently became an advocate for the disease, serving as a spokesperson for the JED Foundation, a leading nonprofit organization that addresses issues related to mental health and suicide in the college population.
Once Michelle committed to running for Billie's fan page, the race was on. As Billie had been the inspiration, raising money for the JED Foundation was a perfect fit. Michelle's website, Queeried.com, followed her journey from novice runner to marathon runner and garnered fans and supporters along the way. Her Facebook account raised more than $2,100.00 via her attached fundraising page.
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Michelle booked a flight to Los Angeles just as she said she would do and met up with Billie Myers on Rodeo Drive. I joined them via telephone to chat a little bit about this fantastic, awe-inspiring journey across the pond and into the lives of millions. The duo chatted with SheWired about just how this great partnership for charity came to be.
Sarah Toce: Michelle, I have your Facebook page up and you have already surpassed your fundraising goal. Are you excited to run in the L.A. Marathon on Sunday?
Michelle Penny: Apart from the26.2 miles! It is a little bit daunting but, yeah.
Michelle Penny
Billie Myers: I wouldn't say that. She's probably regretting it about now, Sarah. She has done amazing. God bless her. I'm so happy she is running the 26.2 miles and not me. That's all I can say.
ST: You aren't going to join her, Billie?
BM: Sarah, Sarah, Sarah, stop with the guilt now. I'm holding water bottles! I am just a face, Sarah, please!
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ST: We could just position you at certain parts along the course. You can act like you're running and then someone takes a picture of you and you can just pretend to do the entire thing.
BM: You know, I think that's a great idea! I am going to have a little jogging outfit on. You'll see me at the beginning, in the middle and then the end. Sarah could be my witness.
ST: Anything fun planned for Michelle's L.A. trip?
BM: Well, we are on Rodeo Drive right now and we're going to take her to the City of Sin - West Hollywood - later. Where do you want to go while you are here?
MP: I want to go everywhere!
ST: Michelle, how has depression affected you and why did you decide to do all of this?
MP: My dad suffers from depression so it is something that has affected my family. I know what some people are going through, especially in their teenage years.
ST: How did this tie in with Billie and wanting to get fans on Facebook?
MP: She did a little YouTube video and it was so pathetic that it would surely get fans, so I had to do something besides just a pathetic little video to help get fans for her.
ST: You have been training for awhile. It's not that you just developed a goal, jumped on the plane and decided to run a marathon. It has taken a lot of time to train and get ready. That is a fantastic feat.
MP: I have been training through snow, hail and rain. None of this nice L.A. stuff! It has hardened me up now. It has definitely been life-changing.
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ST: So, what is next for you after the L.A. Marathon?
MP: I am running the Queeried website so I will be working on developing more challenges through the website and see what develops from that. I will also be running the London Marathon next year.
ST: Maybe Billie will run the London Marathon...
BM: No. No. No.
MP: I'm running a marathon for you. You could run the London one for me.
ST: That would be a great test of character!
BM: Sarah. Be quiet. This type of talking is not good for my psyche. I'll have to make another album! Now, in all seriousness, Michelle is doing an absolutely amazing thing. I know I got off very lightly by not having to do the run. The money is going to the JED Foundation. It's an amazing cause, and to be able to garner that much awareness by doing something that she thought was very unique and creative is very cool.
People should go to Michelle's giving page and give what they can, because if anybody knows anybody who has been touched by depression, it takes no prisoners. Most of us don't want to talk about it and we need to work very, very hard to make sure that the stigma is taken away in the public about depression. Just in the news in the last month we've had four high-profile deaths. If you imagine, that was just four high-profile deaths. Imagine if you look behind-the-scenes and see just the "normal" folks who aren't connected to anyone famous who are affected. We have to work very hard to make people more aware.
If you would like to find out more about the JED Foundation and how you can help prevent depression, please visit www.jedfoundation.org.
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