Athlete Advocate — Jordan Marie Daniel

Runner + Athlete Advocate

My Running Journey:

I’ve been running since I was 10 - my grandfather took me on my first run! He was my superhero, he inspired me to be the runner I am and more. My running has evolved as I have grown as a person. It also has become what I’ve needed it to. be, whether I knew it or not at the time. I often tell those that ask, interviews, and podcasts, that my running has 5 phases.

1.) Running because my family did - I felt like I was part of this awesome, family club. Very exclusive.
2.) Running as a Native Athlete - I went to school in Maine after we left South Dakota at age 9. So, being the runner I was, I wanted to inspire my family and cousins back home.
3.) Running for the love of running - After growing, healing, and overcoming an eating disorder from Senior year in high school to college, running on the trails outside of competing and running on the roads, brought me back to life. Helped me heal. Helped me to reconnect as I was reclaiming my Indigeneity as a Lakota woman.
4.) Running as advocacy - The intersection of sport and advocacy. I had compartmentalized my advocacy and my running. In 2019, it came to a boiling point when the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women and Peoples continued to be misrepresented and invisible. I had to do something. So, I dedicated my Boston Marathon, all 26.2 miles to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, saving the last .2 for my grandfather, who inspired me to run.
5.) Running as a momma - Postpartum running is new and different. It’s a journey I am still on - learning this new body of mine and excited to get back to feeling like my running self! Had to get surgery due to a diagnosis caused by pregnancy trauma with my twin girls. I’m in recovery and looking forward to getting back to training.

I still have goals and plans on competing, with some exciting races this year and an FKT attempt in August. Here’s to training and having fun!

To read up on and listen to more about the work I do and platforms I am creating, click here for a list of publications and podcasts!

Finding her stride helped fourth-generation runner, Jordan Daniel, give her running a new purpose: To raise awareness and draw support for the initiatives she believes in. She tells us about the causes and issues near and dear to her heart that helped her find her stride, how finding purpose can help you find yours, and how to make it meaningful, fun, and fulfilling.

#FindYourStride

127th Boston Marathon 4/17/23

I ran the 127th Boston Marathon for missing and murdered Indigenous Peoples. For the families, for the advocates, for awareness and to bring in more support and fundraising to support this heart work.

Visit www.jordanmariedaniel.com/runningforjustice to learn more.

Boston BAA 5k 4/13/24

3 months postpartum from having my twin girls, I ran in the 5k offered during the 128th Boston Marathon weekend!
I chose to run in prayer and dedicate the 3.1 miles to Cole Brings Plenty, his sister Kayla Red Bear, and their family. I wanted this run to continue the awareness and advocacy for #JusticeForCole and the Rising Hearts campaign for Cole, #BraidsForCole. Cole lost his sister almost a year prior, in very similar circumstances. All of this leading into the big week of action for May 5th - National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Peoples. Every year since 2018, Rising Hearts has hosted the Running For Justice run/walk to bring people together as we collectively raise awareness and funds for MMIWR during this week of action. I’ll continue to be an advocate, an ally, and help support the advocacy and heart work led by families and survivors.