Author: kevin_rader
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Beating Crohn’s Disease With Nutrition
In the spring of 2020, the world shut down. Like so many families, we were navigating lockdowns, remote school, and the general uncertainty that came with the start of the pandemic. My son, a high school junior at the time, was part of his school’s cross-country and track teams. He was also in the marching…
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Functional Health and the Pursuit of a Longer, Healthier Life
In his book Young Forever, Dr. Mark Hyman—head of functional medicine at the Cleveland Clinic—lays out a powerful argument for rethinking how we approach aging and chronic disease. Rather than patching up symptoms with medication or surgery, Dr. Hyman emphasizes addressing root causes through lifestyle, nutrition, and functional testing. The book dives deep into how…
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My Barefoot Running Experiment
Coming off my fastest year yet in 2009, I entered 2010 eager to push my running to an even higher level. I had just finished reading Born to Run, a book that sparked a worldwide interest in barefoot running — and inspired me to embark on one of my own experiments. Born to Run by…
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My Fastest Year Yet
Looking back, 2009 stands as the pinnacle of my running career and is my fastest year yet. At 38 years old, I may have technically been just past my peak, but that didn’t stop me from chasing down personal records in every race distance I attempted. That year, I toed the line 12 times—starting with…
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Texas Big Star Half Marathon: Nailing My Goal
On April 12, 2025, I toed the line at the Texas Big Star Half Marathon in Frisco, TX. This annual event, now in its 10th year, is organized by the Frisco Chamber Foundation and benefits local charities, including the Collin College Foundation. The race starts and finishes at Collin College’s Preston Ridge Campus and features…
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My Experience with Project Lean Nation
Over the last couple of months, Lynn and I have been experimenting with Project Lean Nation (PLN), and it’s quickly become a convenient and effective part of our fitness and nutrition routine. For a little background, Project Lean Nation is headquartered in Rochester, New York, where they prepare meals made from whole food ingredients—no preservatives,…
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Don’t Stop Moving: How Running Helps Me Manage Stress
In November 2006, I crossed the finish line of my very first marathon. It was a huge milestone. I had trained hard, hit my goal, and after the race, I did what a lot of first-time marathoners are told to do: I took it easy. In fact, I took it really easy. The Year I…
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My First Marathon: The Space Coast 26.2
After recovering from the back injury that sidelined me from my second half marathon, I took an extended break from racing. I didn’t run another half for a couple of years after 2004, but instead, I set my sights on something bigger: my first full marathon. The Decision to Go All In The year was…
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Learning the Hard Way: Running with Back Pain
Back in 2004, after running my first half marathon on a whim and surprising myself with how well it went, I decided I wanted to see what I could really do with a structured training plan. That summer, I signed up for the Crystal Lake Half Marathon and got serious about training. I had 14-mile…
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Why MyFitnessPal is My Go To for Nutrition Tracking
One of the most powerful tools in my nutrition and fitness journey is MyFitnessPal, and I’ve been using it for over a decade. Whether I’m trying to lose weight, maintain it, or—like now—put on muscle, this app has been a game-changer for keeping my nutrition on track. If you’re serious about fitness and want to…
