Wellness Heroes: Carley Wahlborg – Leaders of innovative local fitness and well-being organizations are on a mission to improve our lives and our community.
What do an Ironman triathlete, a lettuce-loving garden expert, a competitive college co-ed and an advocate for healthy body image have in common? All are doing their part to improve the lives of individuals and families in the Baton Rouge area—and beyond. We talked to each of these inspiring leaders to learn more about what motivates them to get people moving, eating healthy and embracing their inner beauty.
What began as a philanthropy event hosted by Carley Wahlborg’s Kappa Delta pledge class at LSU has grown into a universitywide organization that brings young women together for race training while providing support for the nonprofit Girls on the Run South Louisiana. Today, the group led by Wahlborg, a senior public relations major, has close to 120 members, many of whom ran in the Louisiana Marathon or Half Marathon in January. In three years, SoleSisters has raised nearly $14,000 for Girls on the Run, which aims to inspire young girls to be happy and healthy through a running-based curriculum.
225: Tell us a little about your background with running and what inspired you to create SoleSisters.
CW: My best friend and I joined the University High cross-country team our junior year, and we fell in love. After training for a half marathon our senior year of high school, we committed to training for our first full marathon our freshman year at LSU. During these years I was becoming involved with Girls on the Run South Louisiana and saw the way it transformed young girls. I wanted to combine my experiences training with my best friend with the philanthropic component of Girls on the Run.
225: How do the efforts of SoleSisters benefit GOTR?
CW: Each SoleSister made a donation to Girls on the Run through her organization membership fee, which allows SoleSisters to contribute to GOTR’s scholarship fund, to ensure that all girls have the opportunity to participate in the program. Other opportunities are available to members who are interested in working with the girls, such as participating as a 5K running buddy, making bandanas for the 5K or volunteering at events. Mainly, we serve as role models for the participants in GOTR, extending their mission and vision to make the same commitment as college women.
225: Beyond the Louisiana Marathon, tell us about some of the group’s other activities throughout the year.
CW: Our game-day runs are a favorite in the fall semester. As a group, we run through campus the mornings of LSU gamedays. It is the perfect way to get excited to see the Tigers play that night! We also host a bandana-making party near the date of the Girls on the Run South Louisiana 5K. Every girl at the 5K wears a specially made bandana that someone in the community painted.
225: Are there any memorable moments from SoleSisters events or your partnership with GOTR that you’d like to share?
CW: There are so many memorable moments, from watching a SoleSister cross the finish line of the Girls on the Run South Louisiana 5K hand in hand with her running buddy to going on a 5-mile run with a perfect stranger who I now consider a friend to watching SoleSisters hug as they cross the half marathon finish line.
225: Why is this such an important cause for you?
CW: I know how I felt as a freshman in college, seeking a lifestyle that represented my values and stood for what I strived to be. SoleSisters is a constant source of accountability and opportunity to develop myself physically, mentally and emotionally. I also hold Girls on the Run close to my heart because I see the impact it makes in the lives of young girls in our community. I want them to know the journey doesn’t end there. As Girls on the Run says, “the finish line is only the beginning”
225: What is the typical fitness level of the young women who join SoleSisters? How does the organization help them all?
CW: We encourage individuals of all running backgrounds to join SoleSisters. We offer three half-marathon training plans that cater to beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of runners. We also host speakers at our bi-weekly meetings who discuss nutrition, training, injury prevention and other topics.
225: Have you been surprised by the response from new members?
CW: I believe SoleSisters exists as an opportunity, a foundation for college women who want to live a certain lifestyle. Many members are eager to take on the challenge of training for a half-marathon, while for others it takes several years with the organization to truly make the commitment. Though we work differently than other student organizations, I consider the foundation that SoleSisters lays for women powerful and sustaining.
For details, see runsolesisters.com.
