An inspiration to thousands around the world, bestselling author of the memoir A Beautiful Work in Progress, Mirna Valerio doesn't look like your stereotypical distance runner but she is one tough woman who won't let the criticism and skepticism slow her down.
A double-degree graduate in vocal performance and Spanish, Valerio developed a love for running in her youth while also playing lacrosse and field hockey.
A former voice and music teacher at The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York, she eventually landed at Rabun Gap Nacoochee School in Georgia, where she taught Spanish and music while serving as the Director of Equity and Inclusion and head coach of the cross country team.
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After a health scare in 2008, she rededicated herself to distance running, completing her first marathon in 2011 before developing a passion for trail running and ultra-marathons. She also started a blog that year called "Fat Girl Running'' in 2011 as a way to reach other plus-sized runners, to encourage them, and to help foster a sense of inclusion and belonging in the sport. Her following and visibility in the running community burgeoned and she was featured in a 2015 Runner's World article entitled "Ultra: Mirna Valerio '' with the sub-heading "Is it possible to be fat and fit? Healthy and happy as well as heavy?"
Today, she travels the world as a sponsored athlete and motivational speaker, facilitating classes and workshops on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and appearing in brand advertising campaigns. Her work as a champion for body positivity, self-love, and belonging, aims to inspire people to challenge themselves and others' expectations to find happiness and health in their unique way. Valerio has been featured on NBC Nightly News, CNN, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) produced a short film profiling her life called "The Mirnavator". She has written pieces for Runner's World, Women's Running Magazine, Self Magazine, and Outside and has partnered with numerous clothing brands and fitness companies to support her mission.
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In 2020, she created Mirnavator LLC to engage full-time in advocacy work for inclusion in the running, fitness, and outdoor communities for people of all races, sizes, genders, and backgrounds.
