No running. A few hills. One surprise

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First-ever 5K medal turned into a powerful reminder: progress isn’t always fast, and the “uphills” don’t mean you’re failing. Encouragement, humor, and reflection for anyone navigating the autism journey—one step at a time. Discover the best sensory-friendly places in St. George, Utah — from accessible parks to quiet museums and stunning hikes. Perfect for families and all abilities. Explore the inspiring story of Team Tyson and learn how small acts of kindness can build powerful support networks for families on challenging journeys.

Fast Walk, Big Win: What Our First 5K Taught Me About the Autism Journey 🏅

My husband and I earned our first-ever 5K medal.

Not by sprinting past everyone at the starting line — but by fast walking alongside dozens of others who chose steady over speedy.

The morning in St. George was beautiful — crisp air, blue skies, and that electric feeling that comes with doing something slightly outside your comfort zone.

The drive from Flagstaff to St. George set the tone for the entire experience. We left fresh snow in Flagstaff — a little nerve-wracking on the roads — and watched it transition into breathtaking desert scenery.

And fittingly, we spent that drive listening to an audiobook — the very book that inspired us to register for this 5K in the first place.

Last summer, I was invited into a pre-launch book club that took me on a deeper soul-searching journey than I expected. When the book officially launched on Valentine’s Day, this 5K became part of the celebration. After crossing the finish line, there were games, and that evening a reception filled with incredible people.

But the medal wasn’t the real victory.

The Lessons the 5K Taught Me

1. My journey looks different — and that’s okay.
Because of past neck injuries, running is not an option for me. I’m pain-free now, and protecting that matters more than pace. Success isn’t defined by how fast you move — it’s defined by whether you keep moving wisely.

2. Preparation compounds.
I attend Zumba and circuit classes, but fast walking is a different discipline. It required intention. Step by step, we trained. On race day, we beat our best practice time by 12 minutes. Small, consistent effort creates measurable results.

3. There are different ways to “win.”
Some participants ran solo, chasing personal records. Others walked in groups, building relationships along the route. Both are valid. But I was reminded that life — and leadership — is often richer when we build while we move.

4. You can prepare well and still face surprises.
We trained — but we didn’t anticipate the small uphill trails. We had to push harder than expected. And even with all our preparation, race morning delivered an unplanned “return of breakfast” situation (and no, it wasn’t me). Progress does not eliminate unpredictability.

5. Meaning is built long before the milestone.
For some, a 5K is routine. For me, it was layered with memory. The countless neighborhood walks holding hands with my husband. Sometimes walking my mom’s dog. Pausing to say hello to neighbors we rarely see. Those quiet, ordinary repetitions prepared us for this visible finish line.

We also walked alongside incredible people — including Team Tyson — which made the day even more meaningful.

As I reflected afterward, I couldn’t help but see the metaphor.

Isn’t this so similar to the autism journey?

There are uphills we didn’t anticipate.
There are stretches that require more strength than we thought we had.
There are days when progress feels slow.

And there are also beautiful downhills.

Some families sprint.
Some walk steadily.
Some need to pause.

But forward is forward.

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply show up, move a little, meet people, and refuse to quit.

This 5K wasn’t about athleticism.
It was about alignment.
About community.
About remembering that steady effort, over time, creates transformation.

And that is a lesson worth more than a medal.

Sensory-Friendly St. George, Utah 🌟

St. George, Utah, is a beautiful town — and yes, it’s surprisingly sensory-friendly! Despite hosting several tournaments and marathons during our visit, the town never felt crowded or overwhelming.

If you’re planning a trip or just curious, here are some fantastic sensory-friendly spots that truly stood out. I wish every city had parks like Thunder Junction!

Top Sensory-Friendly Places to Visit:

Thunder Junction All Abilities Park (Tonaquint Park) 🦕Designed for all abilities with wide paths, accessible features, and plenty of options for different comfort levels.
Learn more

St. George Children’s Museum A wonderful spot with Sensory Tuesdays to help kids and families enjoy at their own pace.
See Sensory Tuesdays schedule
Main site

Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm 🦖A quieter, museum experience that’s often easier to navigate than large, overwhelming venues.
Explore here

Snow Canyon State Park 🏜️Ideal for “success hikes” and easy trails.
Plan your visit

Zion National Park
With breathtaking views, varied trails, and plenty of activities, Zion is an outdoor dream come true for nature lovers.
Discover Zion

• What sensory-friendly features make a place feel welcoming and comfortable to you or your family?

• How do you plan outings or trips to balance adventure with sensory needs?

• Have you visited any sensory-friendly spots that stole your heart? Hit reply and share your favorite places or tips — I’d love to hear about them!

When the Voice in Your Ear Is Suddenly Behind You

Every weekday morning, the second thing I do after waking up is press play on Darren Daily from Darren Hardy.

Consistency compounds. That message has shaped my thinking for years.

So during our 5K in St. George, when I suddenly wondered, Am I imagining this… or am I hearing Darren’s voice live? — I turned around.

And there he was. Right behind us.

In that moment, something shifted.

I fully credit beating our practice time that day to him. Not because he coached me personally on the course — he had no idea the internal effect he was having — but because for years his voice has trained my mind to push a little further than comfort.

That’s what real mentorship does.
It builds capacity long before the test arrives.

He was also there supporting the launch of Unbreakable Sole and championing its author, Missy Moss Wright. In her book, Missy assigns meaning to each mile — not just distance, but purpose. That framework changed how I experienced the race.

And then I met Tyson, Missy’s brother.

What Team Tyson Taught Me

Missy writes about Team Tyson in her book. Seeing them in person was something else entirely.

Team Tyson is a family who runs together in the St. George Marathon every year. They rotate the responsibility of taking Tyson along the course. They wear bright lime green shirts, and they move as one.

What struck me most was that Tyson was never alone. I saw different family members feeding him — and I even wondered if they realized someone else had already done it. That’s how attentive they are.

On the dance floor that night, they surrounded him again. He was radiant — over the moon — and his joy ignited the entire room.

I stood there in awe.

Because what I witnessed was not charity. It was alignment. It was intentional support. It was a family organized around love.

In Tyson’s case, he has a powerful, visible support circle.

But many families navigating autism do not.

Some are walking uphill stretches quietly.
Some are exhausted.
Some are isolated.

The autism journey is rarely a sprint. It is endurance. It is logistics. It is emotional stamina. It is advocacy. It is constant calibration.

And while some families have a “Team Tyson,” others are walking alone.

If Darren has taught me anything over the years, it’s this: leadership is influence — whether you realize you are exerting it or not.

He didn’t know he helped me push faster during that 5K.
But he did.

In the same way, you may not realize the impact of your small actions on a family carrying a heavy load. That’s where we come in. Here are some simple ideas to lighten up someone’s journey

• 🍪 Drop off homemade cookies

• “Heart attack” their door with uplifting notes.

• Mail handwritten cards once a month for three months.

• Leave a $10 gift card & a note, “Take 20 minutes for yourself.”

• Text: “I’m at the store — what can I grab for you?”

• Send a favorite snack delivery via Amazon or Walmart.

• Drop off paper goods

• Offer to sit with their child for 45 minutes while they shower, nap, or walk.

• Take siblings out for ice cream or to the park.

• Do a school pickup one day a week.

• Fold laundry while you visit.

• Clean their kitchen — without being asked.

• Bring a freezer meal

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do…
is step in behind someone and help them push just a little further.

You don’t have to run someone else’s marathon.
You just have to walk one extra mile with them.

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