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t’s almost five o’clock on a Friday head instructor at Peloton Cycle in a slow, two-year process as I realized I
in New York City. Everyone has New York City. had larger passions to pursue.”
something to do, someplace to go, That’s who she is today, but the With the energy and determina-
and they’re anxious to get there. former non-athlete had another life tion that continues to fuel her mental,
IAlthough she is thinking about before a traumatic event forever emotional and physical well-being,
lacing up her training shoes for a trek changed her during her last year of Arzon says she “re-created” herself
across a bridge or two or through the college. At 21, she was held hostage with a new career and lifestyle. No
streets of Manhattan, Robin Arzon at gunpoint after being randomly longer on the sidelines cheering for
takes time to encourage Inspire Health selected from a group enjoying a night someone else, she is in the spotlight
readers to do what she does to stay out at a NYC wine bar. She escaped leading others to set their own tempo
healthy, look great, and feel like a su- harm mostly due to her quick thinking, to follow their dreams.
perwoman. Her advice boils down to communication skills, and the bravery Chasing dreams, however, often
four simple words: “Shut up and run.” of others, but her survival was the cat- calls for multi-tasking with no com-
There’s a little bit more to it, of alyst for embarking on a life of testing plaints. “I’m not really sure how I
course, but Arzon’s succinct mantra the limits of her potential. balance everything,” she laughs. “Even
and life philosophy transformed her life “I picked up a pair of running though I am often tired, I guess I really
and has motivated thousands of others shoes as an escape from living through have pursued a career that I find excit-
to find their pace as urban athletes. that hell. Running became my liber- ing and fulfilling. I can’t say it feels like
At first glance, you will see Arzon ation from pain, fear and anger,” she work -- that helps. I believe in pushing
as a sleek, almost intimidatingly fit explains, noting that she did not imme- limits and exploring what my body and
young woman, dressed to the nines in
running gear and reflecting the beauty
of her Cuban and Puerto Rican her-
I picked up a pair of running shoes as an
itage. Listen to her message, and you I picked up a pair of running shoes as an
will be further impressed with a life escape from living through that hell. Running
marked by challenges, unique experi-
ences, dramatic career changes and became my liberation from pain, fear, and anger.
a true love for running through life
with passion.
“As a running coach, ultra-mara- diately choose running as the panacea. my mind can do, so that is just part of
thoner, and journalist, I became part “I literally saw a flyer for a 10K race the way to undo the ordinary.”
of a world of urban athletes who and decided on a whim to sign up. I For Arzon, the undoing process
don’t just run – they live to move on was hooked from that point.” is not so much about defining “ordi-
their own terms,” she explains in the That dramatic event changed her nary,” but rather redefining ordinary
introduction to her recently published life, but it did not deter Arzon from moments as extraordinary. “I think that
first book, Shut Up and Run: How achieving her goals." I don’t believe we sometimes are a little bit too auto-
to Get Up, Lace Up, and Sweat with in living my life extra cautiously and mated. Sometimes we need to revisit
Swagger (Harper Design; Hardcover; fearfully,“ she emphasizes. The Philadel- the everyday moments when we rise
$24.99/$31.00 CAN; 192 pages; ISBN: phia native not only graduated magna above and be better than we were
978-0- 06-244568- 1). Born from the cum laude from New York University yesterday. Those are the things that
success of her Shut Up & Run Tumbler on schedule but also graduated magna should be celebrated more often.”
blog, she uses inspirational phrases, cum laude from Villanova University Arzon celebrates sweat and
practical and off-the-cuff advice, and School of Law. Soon, she was work- swagger. “Sweat is magic, swagger is
personal stories to help others unlock ing 80 hours a week as a successful the glisten,” she explains, “I believe that
the power of endorphins to achieve corporate litigator. swagger is really living unapologetically.
the extraordinary. Running, however, brought a spark It requires a certain amount of bravery
With a solid reputation as an ac- to her life that inspired her to coura- and a willingness to do things to the
complished health and fitness specialist, geously turn away from the corporate beat of your own drum."
Arzon is also a brand ambassador for world to work as a freelance journalist “Get uncomfortable with your-
Adidas Women, co-founder of the covering the London Olympics. “I had self,” she advises others looking to do
UNDO-Ordinary fitness movement always been curious about the law,” she ultramarathons, or become healthier,
and is the editor-in-chief of UNDO reflects. “My father is an attorney and leaner or happier. “There is a fear of
Magazine, a high-fashion fitness I was exposed to the career from a getting started, but if you don’t try,
publication. She is currently the vice young age, so I didn’t make a rash de- you will never know what is possible. I
president of fitness programming and cision to leave the law. It was probably understand that fear, but it can be used

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