What INSPIRES you to run?
Have you ever thought about the reasons behind why you run? Is it for physical health, lose weight, cardiovascular endurance, meet friends, rehab, stress relief, mental health, charity, because it’s fun? People run and are INSPIRED to run for all different types of reasons. I want to know what your INSPIRATION is and help you along the way, especially if that dreaded running injury pokes its annoying head. This site/blog is here to help runners navigate through their running injuries and help manage/guide your return to run to keep your INSPIRATION for running going! This is a space for runners of all ability levels; from the runner looking to PR, the runner who signed up for that race, the one who just wants to make it through their race, to going out for fun, for the new runner looking to get started and the casual runner of all levels and experience. We all have a story to tell as to why we run, which is specific and special to you! No one and especially no injury should get in the way of that story. You don’t have to do it alone. Through this site, I want to keep you running healthy, assist you in rehabbing any running injury sustained, guide your management and return back to running. I want us all to share our stories, motivations, celebrations, and our why we run as this may provide INSPIRATION to others and just what we need to keep us going! This is meant to be a positive space for the INSPIRED runner, and we will check any negativity at the door!
My why has definitely changed recently (please read Joshua’s story) and my INSPIRATION is for my son, Joshua James, who passed away on April 23, 2023 from SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy). My why is for him and keeping his legacy alive in my heart, as my wife and I “Run4Joshua”. Through this space, I also want to raise awareness on Epilepsy and the unknown SUDEP, with help from the “Danny Did Foundation” and help raise funds to its cause and research. So, whatever your why or INSPIRATION for running may be, I want this community and space to be with you on your journey!
My name is Jason Godfrey and I am a Physical Therapist who has been practicing in Orthopedic and Sports Medicine clinics for more than 15 years. After a serious injury and recovery following the Los Angeles marathon, I developed a passion for treatment and management of patients with running related injuries. I received my Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from the University of Southern California and started my career at an Outpatient clinic in Morro Bay CA where I also completed an 18-month Orthopedic residency and received my OCS (Orthopedic Certified Specialty). In 2012 I moved up to the Bay Area and started working at Stanford Health Care as part of their Outpatient Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Team. At Stanford I was involved in the development and progression of Stanford’s inaugural Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency program where I was a clinical mentor, faculty and lecturer. I helped run Stanford’s RunSafe program where I evaluated runners in regard to current injuries, injury prevention, and improved performance while working in conjunction with Stanford’s Sports Medicine Doctors. I brought this same concept with me to Seattle and started our VidaRun program. I was a guest lecture at Samuel Merritt Physical Therapy program in Oakland in their Sports Medicine class specifically on run biomechanics, assessment, treatment and management. I was also a guest lecturer at Stanford Medical School in their foot/ankle musculoskeletal evaluation. In Seattle, I provided lectures to Seattle University Athletic Trainers on running biomechanics and assessment. At my current clinic, Vida Integrated Health, I see many runners of all abilities and enjoy helping them get back to their running goals and keeping their INSPIRATION for running alive. I hope I can share that with you!