Where did the business name - ‘iDaph events’ come from? Well, in 2011 - I needed to come up with a business name to form the LLC. I had been supporting and producing events as a side-hustle up to that point. When it came time to turn in the paperwork to make the business legit, I was trying to come up with something unique and nothing had the right sound to it. My name has always been ‘different’ and so a friend of mine suggested I use my name in the business name. Little did I know that iDaph events would be the full event production company that it is today. So the name has just stuck and there is no sense in changing it now.
If I can encourage and keep people moving, by providing fun, impactful and memorable event opportunities for people in communities… well then, I am fulfilling my purpose in this life.
Which iDaph event has been your favorite to date and what made it so special? There are so many races on the calendar that I love! But my favorite race over the last couple years has been the Jump off Rock Half Marathon & 10k races. The entire community is involved and included in making this race experience amazing and it has given me so much joy to see it unfold on race day and happen each year in Hendersonville.
What is your favorite sport? It’s really too hard to pick. I am a lover of variety in my exercise routine and activities, it keeps me enjoying getting out the door and moving everyday. I love all things running, cycling, swimming, multi-sport and yoga!
When did you start running? I started jogging when I was 22 years old. I ran my first race a few months after I started running and got completely hooked on running and races!
I never would have imagined that my love of running and my business degree would turn into my passion to organize, create, plan and produce events!
When did you start biking? My memories of being a kid growing up in Pennsylvania, were always being outside. I spent very little time (even in the winter) being indoors and I didn’t want to be. I always remember having a klunker bike and having freedom to explore the wild outdoors wherever we may have lived at the time. When I got my first running injury (not long after I started running), I got a bike and started swimming to cross-train and keep fitness while I was healing. I have been riding my road bike for about 21 years now.
When did you start swimming? I swam on a summer swim club team only one summer, when I was 11 years old, I learned the swim strokes, loved the team and competition with myself. My family moved when I was 12 so didn’t continue the swim program, but it laid such an important foundation for me to be able to come back to swimming 10 years later and use it as an incredible cross-training tool, recovery after hard workouts and races and allowed me to feel comfortable competing in the world of triathlons.
When did you find yoga? I dabbled in yoga for years, taking occasional classes and enjoying them from time to time when I could fit in a stretch here or there. When I was diagnosed with lymphoma in June 2018, yoga found me on a regular basis and it has been a regular part of my weekly routine and practice now since that time. Yoga is the activity that has taught me to slow down, it allows me to pause, and to do something for myself that running, cycling and swimming don’t do. It is a beautiful practice of attunement to my body, mind and my spirit and to the others that also share that same practice.
Music or no music when running? If I am running alone, music 100%! #truth I always have a back-up pair of corded headphones with me, just in case my airpods aren’t charged! If I am running with friends - absolutely no music!
Favorite running season? Summer, I love the warmth and the sweat.
Favorite running shoe? Asics Cumulus (road shoe)
What advice would you give to anyone struggling to get back into running after a setback (injury)? I have had pretty much every running injury you can imagine. Cross-training is key — swim, water jog, bike, yoga, whatever you can do to keep yourself moving while you are healing is key to keeping your head on straight and to set you up for getting back to it quicker. Take care of yourself and get professional help through Physical Therapists, Personal Trainers, Doctors, Podiatrists, etc if you can’t figure out how to get it healed on your own. I have started over and over again so many times due to injury. The key is being willing to just START.
Running solo or with friends? I love both! I am an introvert and running and exercise in general helps me to recharge my batteries. So if I am drained or life is super hectic, I will tend to run alone. But I love having friends to run, bike, swim and do yoga with… it brings me a lot of joy and the best conversations always seem to come out of my exercising with friends! It is the way I would prefer to do all business meetings (on bike or on foot)!
And then anything else you think that would be fun/interesting to share with our participants about you! I absolutely believe that donkeys are the coolest animal on the planet. I love the way they look, I love the way they act and I love what their purpose is in this life. When I see donkeys or memorabilia with a donkey on it, it puts a smile on my face and brings joy to my heart.
Why do you continue to create and produce events? I have so much love for our community. The people, the animals, the businesses, the recreation, everything. Period.
I am passionate about keeping bodies moving and I love creating, designing and producing events. It truly is the magic in my life. I have seen first-hand what it feels like to be able to move whenever I want to, and then to not ‘be able’ to physically move around on a daily basis. It made me have such a huge appreciation for the bodies, body parts and the energy that we are given to use each day. I believe it is vital for each and every person to use every ounce of energy that we have been given EVERY SINGLE DAY that we are on this earth.
If your body is capable of moving, use that energy for the good of yourself, for the good of your community, for the good of your family and for the good of your relationships. Exercise is a way to move to do all of those things. If I can encourage and keep people moving, by providing fun, impactful and memorable event opportunities people in communities, well then, I am fulfilling my purpose in this life.
Shout out to Justin Friede for his amazing photography skillz and special thanks to Continuum for providing the perfect place for me to let loose and show me… and the catalyst for these photos to come to life.
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