E183: Wynonna Fulgham: The Healing Role of Running

Thank you for listening, friends! Today we’ve got Wynonna Fulgham talking about her deep connection to her Diné culture, inspirational ultrarunning journey, and her role as a Native woman in the running community. You’ll learn how running is a spiritual practice, means of healing, and a form of cultural expression for indigenous communities. You’ll also find out what it’s like to finish 100 challenging, mountain miles at the Bradshaw Brute race, sleep for 4 hours, then start the 125 mile journey of Sedona Canyons as part of Cocodona!Wynonna shares about the profound connection between indigenous culture, land, spirituality, and running. Her story is one of resilience, community, and honoring ancestral traditions through both physical endurance and emotional healing. Each run is a ritual based on connection: to yourself, your community and your ancestors. Each step is a prayer, a way to honor your journey while acknowledging the challenges that come along the way. Wynonna shares how to find strength in vulnerability, and to honor the journey together. Prepare to learn about Diné culture, and to be inspired by Wynonna’s physical and mental endurance… and how running can be a ceremony that shapes identity. Wynonna is a certified coach to help indigenous women runners get to the start line of ultras. Connect with her on Instagram @blacksheep_runningKey topicsWynonna's background: Diné woman, mother, and math teacherThe significance of running in Diné culture and traditional ceremoniesHer experience with ultras like Cocodona 250 and Sedona CanyonsThe spiritual and ancestral meaning behind her racing and land connectionThe role of indigenous women in creating representation through Native Women RunHow running helps community healing, trauma recovery, and cultural preservationThe ceremonial aspects of training, race, and finish as a spiritual journeySupporting indigenous runners financially and through land acknowledgmentThe importance of curiosity, respect, and cultural sensitivity in outdoor spacesWynonna's plans for future races and goals for 2026Timestamps02:04 - Wynonna’s background and cultural identity as a Diné woman03:03 - Experiences with the documentary "The Cut-Off" and race challenges05:34 - The spiritual significance of land, drumming, and ceremonies in races09:03 - Emotions in finishing and the ceremonial closure of races12:03 - Connection of running to Diné culture and ancestral practices16:50 - The evolution of her running journey since puberty23:02 - Giving offerings and respecting land during races24:42 - The symbolism of sacred mountains and ancestral strength26:37 - How running acts as a healing and cultural act36:38 - Wynonna’s role as a teacher and community role model39:12 - Increasing representation of indigenous women in ultrarunning43:10 - Supporting Native Women Run and its mission47:28 - Land acknowledgment and cultural respect for outdoor enthusiasts50:45 - How to support indigenous runners through donations and awareness53:09 - Wynonna’s future plans and upcoming races in 202655:26 - The Burrito League experience and community engagement62:38 - Reflections on community, support, and racing experiences67:05 - Connecting with Wynonna and supporting her journey aheadResources & LinksThe Cut-Off DocumentaryNative Women Run | Support the organizationMountain Outpost YouTube | Follow Winona's journeyCocodona 250 race | Learn more about the raceConnect with WynonnaInstagram